The CoRaLi-DAR consortium recently reached another pivotal moment, gathering at the headquarters of IHP – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics for our second in-person technical meeting.
This meeting was particularly significant as it marked the transition from theoretical designs to the evaluation of our first fabricated hardware. Hosted by the IHP team, the workshop allowed partners to get “hands-on” with the results of our first production run and align on the final steps for the project’s second major development phase.
Seeing the Results: First Chips are Here
The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of results from the first experimental “run” of our custom-designed chips.
- Performance on Track: Initial testing of the control electronics and the optical phased arrays (the “steering” mechanism for the LiDAR) showed that the components are behaving exactly as expected.
- RADAR Refinements: Our RADAR team shared updates on the high-frequency modules. By analyzing the data from the first batch of hardware, the team has identified precise ways to further optimize performance for the next manufacturing cycle.
Innovating Through Integration
As the project moves closer to a functional demonstrator, the consortium discussed creative ways to pack more technology into smaller spaces:
- Streamlined LiDAR: The team brainstormed a new, simplified routing scheme for the light signals. This innovation will reduce the complexity of the design while maintaining the high sensitivity needed for automotive safety.
- Laser Integration: In a major strategic decision, the team mapped out a plan to integrate the laser, its modulator, and the driver components. This approach significantly reduces the overall chip size and mitigates technical risks.
- Virtual Testing: Our software and sensing teams are already “driving” the system in high-fidelity simulators. This allows us to refine our sensor fusion algorithms in a virtual world while the final hardware is being perfected in the lab.
Strengthening the European Ecosystem
Beyond the technical deep dives, the meeting served as a vital touchpoint for the consortium to synchronize on upcoming milestones and dissemination activities. With all deliverables currently on track and the first hardware successes under our belt, CoRaLi-DAR is making steady progress toward its goal of establishing European leadership in integrated sensing technology.
A warm thank you to the IHP team for their hospitality and for providing the perfect environment for these intense and productive discussions.