We are working on a new sensor system that combines radar and LiDAR in one chip and is designed to significantly improve the detection of the surroundings of automated vehicles, even in adverse weather conditions.
– Dr. Marc-Michael Meinecke, Volkswagen AG
Project
One of the biggest challenges in the development of automated vehicles is the precise perception of the vehicle’s environment, especially under poor weather conditions. Currently, commercially available sensor systems still show limitations in their perception performance.
The research project LiRaS (LiDAR Radar Combination System) addresses this challenge by focusing on the development of advanced sensor solutions for vehicle automation. It fosters collaboration between academic and industry partners to establish a robust platform for knowledge exchange and drive future technological advancements.
Increasing the resolution of the radar: The radar is to be further developed so that it achieves a resolution comparable to that of LiDAR systems. This enables more precise and reliable detection of the environment.
Integration of LiDAR in electronic-photonic radar chips: LiDAR elements are to be integrated directly into the chips of the radar system. This should lead to new fusion concepts between LiDAR and radar through advanced, cognitive links.
Increasing the resolution of the radar: The radar is to be further developed so that it achieves a resolution comparable to that of LiDAR systems. This enables more precise and reliable detection of the environment.
Integration of LiDAR in electronic-photonic radar chips: LiDAR elements are to be integrated directly into the chips of the radar system. This should lead to new fusion concepts between LiDAR and radar through advanced, cognitive links.
Approach
The approach of the research project LiRaS is based on integrating radar and LiDAR technologies onto a single chip to ensure comprehensive and fail-safe environmental detection for vehicles. This methodology combines the strengths of both sensor technologies and mitigates their respective limitations.
In more specific terms, LiRaS is pursuing the development of an ultra-stable, extremely low-noise 3D radar sensor system. This system is complemented by the integration of LiDAR elements. These functionalities are integrated into specially developed electronically-photonically integrated chips (EPIC) based on silicon. The goal is to create a cost-effective and reliable source of information that enables safe and efficient data fusion.
The LiRaS systems provide high-resolution, three-dimensional LiDAR and radar data with a high signal-to-noise ratio. These data form the basis for advanced sensor data fusion concepts critical to developing safe, robust, and real-time automated driving functions. By integrating these technologies, LiRaS achieves redundant and comprehensive environmental detection that operates reliably even under challenging conditions.
Challenges
The research project LiRaS faces a multitude of challenges that need to be addressed. In addition to accurately capturing the environment under difficult weather conditions, other key aspects must also be considered.
The seamless integration of coherent radar and LiDAR technologies on a single chip and the development of powerful algorithms for signal processing and data fusion in real time are among the key challenges in LiRaS.
The challenge is to design these chips so small and efficient that they can be integrated into existing vehicle structures. Vehicles often have large apertures with thinned-out antenna arrays, which means that a sensor with the highest possible signal-to-noise ratio and stable signal generation is required for reliable environment detection and clear target detection.
A chip must be developed that combines integrated photonic and electronic circuits with high-quality optical semiconductor technology and generates an ultra-precise and stable sensor signal. At the same time, it must be ensured that the technologies developed are CMOS-compatible in order to enable subsequent mass production with a high yield.
This requires the development of manufacturing processes for the new sensor system that are both cost-efficient and scalable, while meeting the requirements of different vehicle models and application scenarios.
A glimpse into the project
Consortium
Facts and Figures
Consortium Leader
Dr. Marc-Michael Meinecke
Volkswagen AG
Budget
€10.1 M
Consortium
6 Partners
OEM, suppliers, technology partners, research partners, universities
Funding
€6.68 M
66,2% funded by the BMBF
Duration
36 Months
1 May 2024 – 30 April 2027
