Development of the Photonic Radar for Under-Water Autonomous Vehicle Applications
M. Venkata Sudhakar
The technology of photonic radar is essential for the development of autonomous driving systems, as it is instrumental in the secure operation and navigation of vehicles in a variety of environments. This paper investigates the creation of a photonic radar system that is specifically designed for underwater autonomous vehicle (UAV) applications. An advanced approach to cost and size optimization is presented in this work, which employs direct modulation with vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology to improve performance. The transmitter and receiver are positioned in a manner that is both strategic and efficient within the same vehicle. The system precisely calculates distances to the target and indicates a clear path when no target is present by analyzing the received power signal. The system is designed to analyze the reflections obtained in order to detect and measure distances of up to 700 metres. The results demonstrate improved range detection in terms of an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio and range under a variety of attenuation conditions. In the pursuit of transformative advancements in autonomous mobility, this work is a cornerstone, signifying a new era of intelligent transportation systems that are empowered by photonics. At a frequency of 25 GHz, the proposed system produces a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 51.11 with an attenuation of 29 db/Km.
Keywords: VCSEL laser, LiDAR technology, autonomous under-water vehicle, obstacle detection