Project description
Enhancing real-time detection in challenging conditions
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology is essential for creating detailed 3D images in applications like autonomous vehicles, robotics and augmented reality. However, current LiDAR systems demonstrate low performance in complex environments owing to their limited ability to reject background light and slow detection speeds. The ERC-funded PicoAD_LiDAR project aims to advance the Picosecond Avalanche Detector – a cutting-edge sensor capable of single-shot photon detection. Unlike conventional LiDAR systems, the proposed sensor will filter out background noise with precise time gating and enable real-time detection, crucial for tasks such as collision avoidance. It will also handle a wide range of temperatures and process multiple reflections from a single laser pulse, thereby improving depth perception in challenging conditions such as fog and overlapping objects.
Objective
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that measures object distances by analyzing the time-of-flight of photons. LiDARs emit short laser pulses, detect their reflections, and precisely measure travel time. Using a pixel matrix sensor, they can generate detailed 3D images, used for e.g. autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, robotics, and augmented reality.
Despite being a rapidly growing emerging market, current LiDAR technology is still far from being fully developed. In particular, next-generation LiDAR sensors must achieve greater background light rejection to operate in complex conditions as well as reduced latency to enable real-time detection capabilities.
This project will build upon the patented Picosecond Avalanche Detector (PicoAD), developed within the MONOLITH ERC_AdG project. It will design and validate a proof-of-concept PicoAD version specifically tailored for LiDAR applications. This version will enable fast analog signal filtering at the pixel level and precise time gating to detect only photons from the laser pulse. Thereby it will suppress background light noise far more effectively than current methods and improve reliability in adverse ambient conditions.
Unlike conventional LiDAR sensors that rely on multi-shot measurements, our PicoAD will enable single-shot photon detection, dramatically enhancing acquisition speed. This will provide significant advantages for applications requiring real-time decision making such as collision avoidance in autonomous vehicles.
Robust circuits will be designed to function across a wide temperature range from -40°C to 125°C.
In addition, the high-speed electronics will incorporate multiple-return processing, enabling the detection of multiple reflections from a single laser pulse. This capability will enhance depth perception in complex environments, including scenarios with partially overlapping objects, highly reflective materials, or fog.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering automotive engineering autonomous vehicles
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering analogue electronics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering remote sensing
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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1211 Geneve
Switzerland
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