Photonic Integrated Circuits for Adaptive Ranging and Detection (PICARD)

We propose PICARD (Photonic Integrate Circuits for Adaptive Ranging and Detection), to reduce NDL SWaP and improve performance by replacing the NDL transceiver with an integrated photonic chip. The advantage over the current NDL architecture and components is the use of PIC technology, SSB modulation, and actively balanced/multimode detection, to eliminate known environmental sensitivities that have previously caused issues and improve system SNR. After completing this project, the path for significant reduction in size and performance improvement will be paved for a next generation NDL to benefit LaRC and STMD. We anticipate that imperfect modulator suppression and increased processing requirements might reduce the expected performance improvements, and we will address these risks by optimizing receiver balance and digitization rate. Beyond improvements to the NDL, development of an on-chip transceiver and multimode receiver with associated packaging techniques will enable SWaP reduction and signal improvement in other coherent lidar systems, like Doppler wind lidar.

At the end of Year 2, we plan on having characterized and demonstrated the packaged on-chip lidar transceiver in NDL, as well as have first-pass hermetically sealed packages ready for environmental testing. During Year 1, we developed actively balanced coherent receivers which increase NDL SNR and established initial packaging techniques for incorporation of PICs into the instrument. After IRAD completion we expect to leverage the integrated transceiver design for remote and in situ sensing applications via an ACT/IIP/PICASSO while NDL improvements are transitioned to our commercial partner (Psionic) for their commercial sensor. The main risks of not investing in continued funding of this project is reduced Center capabilities in EDL, reduced Center capabilities in coherent lidar instruments, and a missed opportunity to become the Agency’s center of excellence in PIC technology. Continued Agency investment of PICs and cross-mission-directorate interest in PIC technology effectively ensures accelerating adoption of PIC components in NASA instruments – the developments in this IRAD program foster cross-cutting capabilities in EDL and Earth sensing, and also generate packaging best-practices necessary for PIC components in spaceflight projects.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.