Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PARALIA (Photonic Multi-beam Beamforming Technology enabling Radar/Lidar Multisensor Fusion platforms for Aerospace and Automated Driving applications)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-01-01 al 2024-06-30
PARALIA will launch an agile, low-cost and energy-efficient multi-sensor platform that will re-architect the photonic-sensor domain to deliver heterogeneous information fusion and enhanced environmental perception by combining a multibeam LiDAR, a multibeam photonic-assisted RADAR and a ML-empowered embedded processing framework within a single synthetic vision package.
To realize its ambitious goals, PARALIA will reap the benefits of the best-in-class material platforms, technologies and architectures, bringing together:
i. the well-established InP-Triplex co-integration platform for combining high-quality lasers, modulators and detectors with ultra-low-loss and low-energy photonic beamformers,
ii. the best-in-class linear optical circuit architectures, transferring their credentials onto the InP-Triplex platform for upgrading photonic beamformers into MBFN layouts and demonstrating a whole new class of 8x64 single-channel and 8-channel WDM 8x8 MBFN PICs suitable for microwave, mmWave and optical sensors
iii. the mature and low cost SiGe platform for realizing its RF and antenna circuitry, targeting both the K and the E-band radar sectors to meet the diverge requirements of automotive and aerospace use cases, and
iv. an embedded ML-empowered data acquisition, processing and interpretation framework capable of optimally fusing the LiDAR and RADAR sensory data. This unique combination of technological innovations will allow PARALIA to unleash a full-fledged portfolio of LiDAR and RADAR sensors fused optimally into a powerful multi-sensor system LiDAR and RADAR sensors.
PARALIA’s vision includes:
• 8-beam K-band and E-band microwave-assisted RADAR prototypes, tailored to the automated driving and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) segments respectively, with both design featuring HFOV 120o and VFOV 120o and achieving power consumption reductions of 1.85x and 2.85x respectively.
• 8λ x 8-beam 2D scanning LiDAR prototype, achieving 64 independent and fully reconfigurable beams while reducing the power consumption by 2.78x.
• ML-augmented multi-sensor fusion complex, that will act as the validation vehicle of PARALIA’s unique multi-domain sensors proposition and will be deployed in automotive and aerospace scenarios.
To realize its ambitious goals, PARALIA will reap the benefits of the best-in-class material platforms, technologies and architectures, bringing together:
i. the well-established InP-Triplex co-integration platform for combining high-quality lasers, modulators and detectors with ultra-low-loss and low-energy photonic beamformers,
ii. the best-in-class linear optical circuit architectures, transferring their credentials onto the InP-Triplex platform for upgrading photonic beamformers into MBFN layouts and demonstrating a whole new class of 8x64 single-channel and 8-channel WDM 8x8 MBFN PICs suitable for microwave, mmWave and optical sensors
iii. the mature and low cost SiGe platform for realizing its RF and antenna circuitry, targeting both the K and the E-band radar sectors to meet the diverge requirements of automotive and aerospace use cases, and
iv. an embedded ML-empowered data acquisition, processing and interpretation framework capable of optimally fusing the LiDAR and RADAR sensory data. This unique combination of technological innovations will allow PARALIA to unleash a full-fledged portfolio of LiDAR and RADAR sensors fused optimally into a powerful multi-sensor system LiDAR and RADAR sensors.
PARALIA’s vision includes:
• 8-beam K-band and E-band microwave-assisted RADAR prototypes, tailored to the automated driving and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) segments respectively, with both design featuring HFOV 120o and VFOV 120o and achieving power consumption reductions of 1.85x and 2.85x respectively.
• 8λ x 8-beam 2D scanning LiDAR prototype, achieving 64 independent and fully reconfigurable beams while reducing the power consumption by 2.78x.
• ML-augmented multi-sensor fusion complex, that will act as the validation vehicle of PARALIA’s unique multi-domain sensors proposition and will be deployed in automotive and aerospace scenarios.
Summary of PARALIA activities during the 1st Reporting Period (M01-M18)
The main achievements for this reporting period per active work package (excluding WP1) are summarized below:
WP2: System architecture design, specifications, and use-cases
• PARALIA’s system architecture and specifications have been defined.
• PARALIA’s system architecture and specifications have been defined.
• PARALIA’s selective use-cases have been identified for both aerospace and automotive scenarios.
• LiDAR and RADAR subsystems for 1st fabrication run of the project have been designed whereas the requirements and specifications have been defined in each case.
• Performance of 1st generation systems was analyzed against the components expected performance and tolerances.
• Defined a precise sequence of assembly steps and identified optimal tools and processes..
• Development of the sensor state of the art sensor fusion approach incorporating LiDAR and RADAR modules.
• Development of the embedded learning module that will serve as the main object detection and recognition solution for the PARALIA sensor.
WP3: Photonic circuit design, development, and characterization
• Design and optimization of the first generation of the single radiator elements, based on uniform and non-uniform grating structures, for optimized performance.
• Design of complete OPA structures for optimized performance.
• Design of optical multi-beam beam formers networks (OBFNs) in TriPleX platform for the 1st fabrication run.
• Mask layout design of OBFNs for the 1st fabrication run.
• Initiation of fabrication process in TriPleX platform
• Optical/electrical interface definition for InP active components.
• InP actives performance estimation through simulation and/or existing results.
• Design of two mask-sets for the InP actives.
• Initiation of fabrication process in InP platform.
WP4: LiDAR and RADAR prototype development and characterization
• New laser design with improved RIN available.
• The FMCW chirp-Generator board is assembled and started the bring up process and integration with the FPGA.
• K-band RF: The design and fabrication of all boards is finished. Assembly and bring up are ongoing.
• E-band RF: Design and fabrication of all boards are ready. Characterization has started, modules have full functionality.
• Preliminary printed circuit board (PCB) design for RADAR and LiDAR subsystems designed
WP5: Multi-sensor system prototype development and validation
• Preliminary design for the host PCB for both RADAR and LIDAR systems.
• Initial decision on lens positioning mechanisms for LIDAR.
WP6: Communication, dissemination and Exploitation
• PARALIA’s presence at prestigious conferences.
• PARALIA’s website was developed and released.
• PARALIA’s Social accounts have been set up in popular social networks including, Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn.
• The first factsheet of the project was created.
• The presentation video of the project was created and released.
• A project press release was generated presenting the project consortium and its objectives and was released through technical and business media channels.
• The roadmap for PARALIA sensor exploitation has been established.
• PARALIA’s sensor market potential has been analyzed.
• An IPR board has been established to identify potential patent applications.
• A patent on “Optical Beam Forming Device With Crossbar as Beamformer and Its Method of Use” has been already issued by Hellenic Industrial Property Organization, whereas applications in the European Patent Office (no. EP24176467.9) and the in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (no. 18/635,483) have been done.
• A standardization board has been established to identify potential standardization activities.
WP7: Ethics Requirements
• PARALIA’s deliverable D7.1 “OEI - Requirement No. 1” has been submitted.
The main achievements for this reporting period per active work package (excluding WP1) are summarized below:
WP2: System architecture design, specifications, and use-cases
• PARALIA’s system architecture and specifications have been defined.
• PARALIA’s system architecture and specifications have been defined.
• PARALIA’s selective use-cases have been identified for both aerospace and automotive scenarios.
• LiDAR and RADAR subsystems for 1st fabrication run of the project have been designed whereas the requirements and specifications have been defined in each case.
• Performance of 1st generation systems was analyzed against the components expected performance and tolerances.
• Defined a precise sequence of assembly steps and identified optimal tools and processes..
• Development of the sensor state of the art sensor fusion approach incorporating LiDAR and RADAR modules.
• Development of the embedded learning module that will serve as the main object detection and recognition solution for the PARALIA sensor.
WP3: Photonic circuit design, development, and characterization
• Design and optimization of the first generation of the single radiator elements, based on uniform and non-uniform grating structures, for optimized performance.
• Design of complete OPA structures for optimized performance.
• Design of optical multi-beam beam formers networks (OBFNs) in TriPleX platform for the 1st fabrication run.
• Mask layout design of OBFNs for the 1st fabrication run.
• Initiation of fabrication process in TriPleX platform
• Optical/electrical interface definition for InP active components.
• InP actives performance estimation through simulation and/or existing results.
• Design of two mask-sets for the InP actives.
• Initiation of fabrication process in InP platform.
WP4: LiDAR and RADAR prototype development and characterization
• New laser design with improved RIN available.
• The FMCW chirp-Generator board is assembled and started the bring up process and integration with the FPGA.
• K-band RF: The design and fabrication of all boards is finished. Assembly and bring up are ongoing.
• E-band RF: Design and fabrication of all boards are ready. Characterization has started, modules have full functionality.
• Preliminary printed circuit board (PCB) design for RADAR and LiDAR subsystems designed
WP5: Multi-sensor system prototype development and validation
• Preliminary design for the host PCB for both RADAR and LIDAR systems.
• Initial decision on lens positioning mechanisms for LIDAR.
WP6: Communication, dissemination and Exploitation
• PARALIA’s presence at prestigious conferences.
• PARALIA’s website was developed and released.
• PARALIA’s Social accounts have been set up in popular social networks including, Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn.
• The first factsheet of the project was created.
• The presentation video of the project was created and released.
• A project press release was generated presenting the project consortium and its objectives and was released through technical and business media channels.
• The roadmap for PARALIA sensor exploitation has been established.
• PARALIA’s sensor market potential has been analyzed.
• An IPR board has been established to identify potential patent applications.
• A patent on “Optical Beam Forming Device With Crossbar as Beamformer and Its Method of Use” has been already issued by Hellenic Industrial Property Organization, whereas applications in the European Patent Office (no. EP24176467.9) and the in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (no. 18/635,483) have been done.
• A standardization board has been established to identify potential standardization activities.
WP7: Ethics Requirements
• PARALIA’s deliverable D7.1 “OEI - Requirement No. 1” has been submitted.
Τhe project has already demonstrated that the cross-bar based Optical Multibeam BeamForming Network that consitutes the backbone of the RADAR and LiDAR systems, exhibits less losses that its counerparts.
The project's laser components have been already demonstrated with an updated design, which leads to lowered relative intensity noise (RIN). The first generation of this laser with this improved design has already been fabricated, and the RIN measurements have shown values better than -172 dBc/Hz at an output power of 100 mW.
The project's laser components have been already demonstrated with an updated design, which leads to lowered relative intensity noise (RIN). The first generation of this laser with this improved design has already been fabricated, and the RIN measurements have shown values better than -172 dBc/Hz at an output power of 100 mW.