Duisburg, March 26 2026 – In the miniLIDAR collaborative project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), Jena-Optronik GmbH, a Leibniz Institute, and several Fraunhofer Institutes have jointly developed a novel LiDAR system for space applications. The result is an innovative, SPAD-based system that is significantly more compact, lighter, and more energy-efficient than previous solutions, while also meeting the demands of spaceflight.

In the collaborative project miniLIDAR, the partners are working on high-precision LiDAR systems. LiDAR systems use laser light to map the surrounding environment in 3D and provide precise distance measurements, similar to radar but significantly more accurate. Until now, such systems have been large, heavy, and energy-intensive. Thanks to the miniaturized approach in the project, the sensors can now be built to be 10 times more compact, lighter, and more efficient.

Role of Fraunhofer IMS

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS, researchers developed a key component for the next generation of these laser sensors: an SPAD detector with a resolution of 112 × 112 pixels. By combining the detector with specially adapted readout electronics (ROIC) and novel evaluation algorithms, the extremely high data volumes could be processed efficiently for the first time. This not only marked a decisive step toward miniaturized and energy-efficient LiDAR systems, but also resulted in one of the world’s first SPAD-based LiDAR systems, which is currently being qualified for use in space.

“With our new detector, we are laying the groundwork for LiDAR systems that operate reliably even under extreme conditions, such as during a rocket launch. At the same time, we are opening up new possibilities for safer space missions, autonomous driving, and flexible industrial production,” explains Dr. Dirk Weiler, Head of Space and Security at Fraunhofer IMS.

Contributions of the Project Partners and Overall Concept

The miniLIDAR project was carried out under the leadership of Jena-Optronik GmbH in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institutes IPMS and IZM and the Leibniz Institute FBH. While Fraunhofer IMS developed the detector and the evaluation algorithms, the Fraunhofer partners worked on innovative scan modules and optical phased arrays, and the Ferdinand Braun Institute, Leibniz Institute for High-Frequency Technology (FBH), worked on laser diodes.

Specifically, Fraunhofer IPMS developed a MEMS vector scan module that enables precise deflection of the laser beam while offering high resistance to vibrations and shocks—a key requirement for use in space. Fraunhofer IZM researched optical phased arrays (OPAs)—systems for the electronic control of light beams—as a promising technology for particularly compact next-generation LiDAR designs. At the Leibniz Institute Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), high-performance laser sources were developed that provide the necessary beam quality and reliability. Jena-Optronik GmbH handled the system integration and combined the partners’ contributions into a fully functional system. The result is a LiDAR sensor that is significantly smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient than previous solutions, while also being qualified for the extreme conditions of spaceflight.

Significance of the Project

The results help strengthen Germany’s leading position in space technology and smart mobility and are a key component for the safe deployment of robotics, whether in orbit or on Earth. The miniLIDAR project was funded with nearly 5.9 million euros under project number 50RA1923 by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and ran from December 2019 to December 2025. Starting in May 2025, a follow-up project aimed at qualification was launched with the successful consortium.