A Canadian firm has developed a highly cost-effective inertial optical system that equals the accuracy of navigational sensors used in the aircraft sector.

The circuits developed by Montreal-based One Silicon Chip Photonics (OSCP) offer highly accurate navigation even without GPS signals.

Because they are entirely mechanical, the circuits are ten times more precise than the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Inertial Measurement Units (MEMS IMUs) commonly used in commercial applications.

OSCP claims that the new technology will facilitate the mass adoption of autonomous systems in applications such as autonomous vehicles and drones.

Photonics advancing miniaturization

Electronics have become smaller, faster, and more efficient, but miniaturization is limited by heat dissipation in copper wiring. Replacing electrons with photons and copper with optical fibers solves this issue.

Previously, photonics technology required bulky, costly converters to replace wires with fibers. Now, micro-photonics and electronic components can be integrated at the chip level, allowing a single fiber to carry all information.

Optical MEMS (MOEMS) technology removes electronics constraints, enabling faster data transmission and greater bandwidth. OSCP designs and makes high-performance motion sensors using Silicon Photonics. These sensors use Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) and Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) technology to measure an object’s acceleration and rotation.

OSCP aims to fully integrate optical components into the PIC chip, reducing size, weight, and power consumption and eliminating assembly costs. This integration enhances system reliability, reduces optical loss, and increases device sensitivity.

The firm has now teamed up with teamed up with Thales, a multinational French firm that is creating autonomous rail systems and has been field-testing its latest technology.

According to Thales, using sensors such as OSCPs in rail transport can boost vehicle autonomy. Combined with moving block signaling, this can enhance rail capacity by up to 50 percent and reduce energy usage by 15 percent.

“The road to full autonomy requires fundamental innovation in navigation, not more sensors and workarounds. OSCP delivers a blend of precision, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in an integrated photonic chip,” said Cornel Chiriac, Founding Partner of 2050 Capital, in a statement.

Optical sensors for drones

The market for commercial drones is expected to reach $57 billion by 2030, up from an estimated $19.9 billion in 2022. The market for autonomous vehicles (AVs) is anticipated to reach a value of over $13 trillion by 2030.

However, finding more affordable and precise navigational sensors is still a major problem for drone and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) makers. These sensors are necessary to support this expansion.

Drones and autonomous vehicles (AVs) rely heavily on sensor technology for navigation. Until recently, the focus of AV navigation technology has been on a combination of sensors, each with critical limitations.

Camera, radar, and lidar sensors all depend on advancements in computer perception and require significant redundancy due to environmental factors like fog or dirt obstructing the sensors.

According to OSCP, another major challenge is that many drones and AVs must operate in demanding or hostile environments where GPS is unavailable, making extreme accuracy crucial.

OSCP has recently secured $1.2 million in seed funding from 7percent Ventures and 2050 Capitol, which aims to expand upon the technology that helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in autonomous transport as compared with conventional technologies.

“We believe that the technology that Kazem and OSCP have developed will be vital in facilitating and accelerating the rate at which autonomous systems, across transport and mobility, can realize their potential,” said Harry Morgan of 7percent Ventures.

The system, according to the company, will turn “dumb drones” smart with a “world-first in navigation technology.”

It will enable highly accurate navigation even when GPS signals are not available, claims the company.