Solid-state LIDAR Chip

Sensors Unlimited will design, develop and deliver a 1024 element InGaAs linear photodiode array based depth-imaging camera for use in both the visible and short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength bands. The array will use avalanche photodiodes (APDs) for the best combination of range resolution (from high bandwidth) and sensitivity (from high gain), which are commercially available with excellent uniformity. The detector material will have response to short-wave infrared sources for active imaging above the water surface, and will be extended to visible response for imaging below the water. The array will include a custom CMOS integrated readout circuit with 128 temporal samples for high depth resolution, based on a high-performance commercial process. For Phase I, Sensors Unlimited will select candidate readout circuit designs, simulate the designs and select the optimum design for the requirements. The process for APD substrate removal will also be designed, based on a proven array substrate removal procedure. For Phase I Option, a design layout will be generated for fabrication at a commercial CMOS foundry. For Phase II, the integrated circuit will be fabricated, tested, and integrated with a visible-response InGaAs photodiode array into an advanced camera platform with processing power for image analysis.