Description: Radiation tolerant LiDAR systems providing accurate range information are needed for rendezvous, docking, mapping, navigation, debris removal, and dynamic missions in space. However, a challenge exists with increasing LiDAR accuracy at both long and short range without sacrificing resolution or C-SWaP. SenseICs proposes to develop a radiation tolerant "HyDAR" hybrid LiDAR ROIC combining the benefits of direct and indirect time of flight to achieve unprecedented range resolution at low C-SWaP to address these needs.

Benefits: NASA utilizes LiDAR technology for secure and dependable GN&C. An exemplar currently in use is the Navigation Doppler LiDAR (NDL). Two robotic moon landers, developed by Astrobotic Technology and Intuitive Machines, employed a navigation capability fostered by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) during their inaugural flights carrying payloads for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The NDL furnishes precise altitude, speed, and direction to the GN&C subsystem. Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, Odysseus, who's successful lunar touchdown on February 22, 2024, made it the first U.S. vehicle on the moon since 1972, also carried an NDL payload as a backup to its primary navigation systems. This backup system was put into practice when the original navigation instrument malfunctioned. Following a delay to reconfigure the spacecraft's software, it successfully facilitated the landing. The NDL offers distinct advantages over radar, boasting significantly higher precision with reduced size, weight, and power. This heightened accuracy allows NASA to strategically place landers in geologically intriguing yet hazardous terrains on various celestial bodies, potentially reducing overall mission costs and risks. NDL's capabilities extend beyond lunar exploration, opening possibilities for planetary missions to destinations such as Mars, asteroids, and more. Our proposed technology seeks to build upon the current state-of-the-art, ensuring robustness in harsh operational environments. Future missions stand to gain from the synergy of I-ToF and D-ToF LiDAR, promising unparalleled range resolution at a low C-SWaP.Our LiDAR technology holds immense potential for various commercial applications, with a primary focus on automotive applications. In the realm of defense agencies, security is paramount, and our LiDAR technology plays a pivotal role in meeting these priorities. Surveillance applications extend beyond defense to include large commercial buildings, small-scale installations, and residential homes. Our technology excels in prioritizing the security and safety of individuals, businesses, and agencies alike. Beyond security, our versatile LiDAR technology will have applications in inspections, spanning Earth science, defense, and commercial sectors. Camera systems equipped with our technology would contribute to quality assembly for systems, parts, and products. Notably, the automotive industry stands out as a significant candidate for our image sensing and range detection technologies. As vehicles progress towards semi-automatic and fully automatic operation, the ability to sense the environment becomes increasingly crucial. Our imaging sensors facilitate high-precision recognition irrespective of lighting conditions and other potential disruptions, thereby ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and others on the road. We can identify numerous commercial LiDAR applications that our technology can improve or supplement including crop mapping, hazard avoidance, cloud profiling, forest fire management, railway infrastructure, and more.