| Although more technologically demanding than conventional pulsed-light approaches to lidar, the coherent frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) approach - analogous to the way that radar operates - has several advantages. As well as providing directional information thanks to the Doppler Effect, FMCW is also compatible with silicon photonics, meaning that lidar systems can be shrunk to the scale of a chip, and consume far less power. Whether the technology can be produced at scale and meet the strict grading criteria of the auto industry remains to be seen. Photo: Aeva/IPV. |
