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ANELLO introduces a cutting-edge analytical tool for its innovative navigation and positioning system. Supply: ANELLO Photonics
While self-driving vehicles, cellular robots, and drones require multiple sensors to ensure safe and reliable operation, the cost and size of these sensors pose significant hurdles for manufacturers. ANELLO Photonics Inc. Yesterday announced the closure of its Sequence B funding round for its SiPhOG inertial navigation system (INS).
“This funding not only confirms our expertise in SiPhOG technology and products within the market, but also empowers us to accelerate manufacturing and product development as we continue pushing the boundaries of navigation capabilities and efficiency for clients seeking solutions for GPS-denied environments,” said John Smith, co-founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics.
Based on 2018 technology advancements, ANELLO successfully developed SiPhOG – a pioneering Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope leveraging in-house photonic system-on-chip expertise. Based in Santa Clara, California, the company boasts a substantial portfolio of intellectual property, including over 28 granted patents and an additional 44 pending applications. The application of sciences also incorporates a fusion engine that leverages artificial intelligence capabilities.
With a 22-year tenure at Intel, Paniccia spearheaded the development of silicon photonics, pioneering the concept of fabricating optical devices using conventional silicon processing methods, with a primary focus on the data core. Mike Horton, my co-founder and fellow innovator, hails from a background in sensor gyros. It was his vision that led him to establish Crossbow, a pioneering venture born out of the esteemed University of California, Berkeley.
As the CEO of a leading technology company, he revealed to us that when discussing autonomy with potential clients, many were fixated on traditional sensors like lidar and radar. However, in conversations with these same clients, Mike discovered that they were all incredibly enthusiastic about the prospect of an integrated photonic chip being developed, stating that it would be a game-changer for their projects. “While fiber gyros do function well, their size, bulkiness, and expense render them impractical.”
“The technology currently used in our smartphones is based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which can be problematic due to its sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference,” Paniccia explained. “With the same concept as a fiber gyro – imagining sunlight orbiting a coil, measured by rotation – we integrated all these components onto a single chip, added a laser component, wrapped it with electronics, and voilà! The result is SiPhOG, a compact innovation that fits in the palm of your hand.”
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SiPhOG combines compactness and precision
SiPhoG enables high-precision integration within a built-in silicon photonics platform, according to ANELLO. Based primarily on the interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology, but engineered for compactness, as noted by Paniccia.
The dimensions are precisely 2 millimeters by 5 millimeters, he clarified. Here is the rewritten text:
“On that chip, we’ve integrated all the essential components – splitters, couplers, section modulators, and delay stages.” We’re talking about a minuscule 50 nanoradians of significance, an infinitesimally small but meticulously measured quantity.
The system features a non-ASIC, two-sided printed circuit board that incorporates an analog lock-in amplifier, a temperature controller, and an isolator, according to Paniccia’s description. The device doesn’t share any of the limitations typically associated with MEMS technology, operating efficiently at a standard 3.3-volt power level, according to him.
Paniccia noted that the SiPhOG module incorporates an optical gyroscope, as well as triple-redundant micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, comprising accelerometers and magnetometers for added reliability. This ruggedised device boasts a unique combination of two GPS chips and dual antennas, ensuring unparalleled location accuracy. Its water-resistant design guarantees uninterrupted performance even in harsh environments.
The ANELLO IMU+ is engineered to thrive in demanding settings, including industrial automation, robotics, mining, logistics, and defense applications. Supply: ANELLO
Global Navigation System Prepared for Multi-Market Deployment
According to the company, autonomous methods can leverage ANELLO’s expertise in tandem with the international Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), enabling navigation, positioning, and movement tracking capabilities across diverse applications.
As they expand delivery services to clients, the team has had to adapt to unique environments – think orchards where leaves provide an unexpected backdrop. “Our proprietary algorithm dictates that we compensate for the lack of GPS by intensifying the navigation algorithm and relying heavily on the optical gyroscope. To achieve precision, our robotic system must maintain an accuracy of within one-tenth of a meter over a distance of approximately half a mile.” Here: “We successfully navigated a lengthy distance of 100 kilometers without relying on GPS technology, achieving a remarkably low lateral error of less than 100 meters.”
Additionally, the SiPhOG architecture is designed to ensure scalability and cost-effectiveness.
Automotive industry insiders reveal to me that manufacturers are specifying no fewer than six lidar technologies per vehicle, with each system commanding a whopping $10,000 price tag. Paniccia candidly acknowledged that this project wouldn’t be viable for mainstream appeal. “We possess comprehensive optical expertise that encompasses innovative solutions for a diverse range of applications, from terrestrial to aerial and maritime domains.” Whether it’s for agricultural purposes, long-term development, or even trucking, we’re committed to making it happen.
“You could literally attach the SiPhOG device to your dashboard and power it with your car’s cigarette lighter,” he explained. With our innovative self-alignment correction technology, you’ll gain seamless GPS-denied navigation capabilities within a quarter of an hour. We are also delivering this technology to develop indoor robots.
“When it comes to precision in three dimensions,” said Paniccia, “I can achieve identical efficiency by scaling down SiPhOGs to just one-fifth their original size and weight, while reducing the facilities required for precision by a quarter.” What a vague and uninspiring statement! Let me spice it up for you:
“That’s exhilarating news!”
Buyers to speed up ANELLO
Lockheed Martin, alongside Catapult Ventures and One Madison Group, co-led ANELLO’s undisclosed Sequence B funding round. Notably, a diverse group of investors joined forces, including New Legacy, Construct Collective, Trousdale Ventures, In-Q-Tel (IQT), K2 Entry Fund, Purdue Strategic Ventures, Santuri Ventures, Handshake Ventures, Irongate Capital, and Mana Ventures.
The company’s commitment to innovation shines through in its dedication to nurturing artistic expression through cutting-edge technologies, including advancements in inertial navigation that could significantly enhance autonomous capabilities in areas where GPS signals are unreliable. “Our sustained investment in ANELLO underscores our commitment to accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into practical applications that ultimately benefit national security.”
Anello intends to leverage its latest funding injection to drive growth and deploy its innovative technology. The company has collaborated with the U.S. Enhancing Protection’s Algorithmic Resilience against Jamming and Spoofing Attacks.
“Every week, reports emerge of several business and defense-related missions being disrupted by GPS jamming. For instance, hundreds of flights to and from [affected regions] have been suspected to be impacted by Russian interference,” said Tony Fadell, the founder of Nest and a principal at an investment firm. “GPS’s reliance on a single system has become a critical vulnerability due to its susceptibility to various jamming and spoofing tactics.”
“ANELLO’s commercially available optical gyroscope offers unparalleled navigation capabilities, boasting precision over extended periods of time, with a compact size comparable to a golf ball, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness, while also featuring robust resistance to shock and vibration.” “By harnessing advanced technologies, ANELLO is poised to make a life-saving impact across multiple domains – from airborne emergencies to highway rescues and maritime crises.”
