ANELLO Secures U.S. Navy Contract to Develop Silicon Photonics Gyroscope for GPS-Alternative Navigation

Latitude Design Systems
Mar 13
3 min read

Introduction

Anello Photonics recently announced that it has been awarded a Phase I contract under the U.S. Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This six-month contract aims to demonstrate the navigation capabilities of its Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG™) technology and AIhu sensor fusion engine in GPS-denied or GPS-restricted environments. This collaboration not only marks a breakthrough application of Anello Photonics' technology in the military domain but also lays the foundation for the future development of navigation technology.

Anello Photonics’ silicon photonics technology integrates a photonic system-on-chip (SoC) to achieve fiber optic gyroscope (FOG)-level performance while significantly reducing size, weight, and cost. The innovative and practical aspects of this technology enabled it to stand out in the SBIR contract selection process, positioning it as a core candidate for the U.S. Navy’s hypersonic vehicle navigation systems.

Anello Photonics and SiPhOG™ Technology

Anello Photonics, a high-tech company based in Santa Clara, California, specializes in silicon photonics technology research and development. Its core product, SiPhOG™, is an optical gyroscope technology based on silicon photonic integrated circuits, providing high-precision and low-drift navigation performance within a compact design.

Key Features of SiPhOG™ Technology:

High Precision and Low Drift: Utilizing interferometric measurement principles, SiPhOG™ achieves a bias instability of <0.5°/hour and an angular random walk of <0.05°/√ hour. Even in a complete GPS outage, it can provide continuous navigation data.
Compact and Lightweight Design: By leveraging silicon photonic integrated circuit technology, SiPhOG™ significantly reduces size and weight. For example, its product Anello X3 is the world's smallest and lightest three-axis high-performance optical gyroscope IMU, weighing only 182 grams with a volume of just 8 cubic inches.
Cost-Effectiveness: SiPhOG™ is manufactured using standard silicon fabrication processes, greatly reducing production costs while maintaining high performance.
AI Sensor Fusion: By integrating AI technology, SiPhOG™ can merge data from multiple sensors, further enhancing navigation accuracy and reliability, especially in complex and dynamic environments.

Background and Objectives of the SBIR Contract

Overview of the SBIR Program

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1982 to stimulate technological innovation by funding research and development (R&D) efforts in small businesses while fulfilling federal agencies' R&D needs. The Phase I contract awarded to Anello Photonics lasts for six months with funding up to $314,000, aiming to validate the scientific and technical feasibility of its technology.

Contract Objectives

The primary objective of this contract is to demonstrate the navigation capability of SiPhOG™ technology in GPS-denied environments, particularly for cutting-edge military platforms such as hypersonic vehicles. The U.S. Navy aims to address the following challenges with this technology:

GPS Signal Interference or Loss: Traditional navigation systems often enter emergency modes when GPS signals are lost, leading to aircraft hovering, emergency landings, or even crashes. SiPhOG™ technology can provide continuous and accurate navigation data even when GPS signals are disrupted.
High-Precision Navigation Needs: Hypersonic vehicles require high-precision navigation in extreme environments. SiPhOG™ technology, leveraging interferometric measurement and AI fusion, can meet these stringent demands.

Applications and Potential Impact

Military Applications

Hypersonic Vehicles: SiPhOG™ technology will significantly enhance hypersonic vehicles' navigation capabilities in GPS-denied environments, ensuring operational effectiveness in complex battlefield scenarios.
Unmanned Systems: This includes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). SiPhOG™ technology enables precise navigation in GPS-restricted conditions, supporting autonomous mission execution.
Defense and Security: The technology can also be applied to military vehicles, missiles, and satellite navigation, meeting high-precision and anti-jamming requirements.

Commercial Applications

Autonomous Driving and Robotics: SiPhOG™ technology can be integrated into self-driving cars, warehouse robots, and medical assistance robots, providing real-time position and orientation data to enhance safety and efficiency.
Agriculture and Construction: In environments with weak GPS signals, SiPhOG™ technology can be used for precise control of automated equipment, such as agricultural machinery for path planning and construction equipment for accurate positioning.
Maritime Navigation: Its Maritime INS system is designed for GPS-limited marine environments, making it suitable for autonomous surface and underwater vessels, improving the safety and efficiency of maritime operations.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Through this SBIR contract, Anello Photonics has not only demonstrated its leadership in silicon photonics navigation technology but also paved the way for future advancements in navigation technology. The high precision, low power consumption, and multifunctionality of SiPhOG™ technology make it highly applicable across both military and commercial sectors.

Looking ahead, as the SBIR program progresses to Phase II, Anello Photonics will further develop prototype systems and conduct real-world testing. If successful, this technology could achieve widespread adoption globally, revolutionizing the navigation industry. As Anello Photonics CEO Dr. Mario Paniccia stated: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the U.S. Navy and provide cutting-edge technology support. We believe that SiPhOG™ technology not only meets current military needs but also holds profound implications for multiple industries.”