Multi-band sensor system for environment detection, and method and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor system (2) for environment detection, comprising:-an optical device (6) for generating an optical carrier signal (7),-a transmitting device (4), which is designed to emit an electrical emission signal (16, 17, 18) based on the optical carrier signal (7), comprising:-an electro-optical modulator (8), which has a predetermined operating point (10),-an electro-optical modulator (8), which has a predetermined operating point (10), the invention relates to a device (1) for transmitting a plurality of optical radiation signals (9), comprising:-an optical carrier signal (7), which is designed to generate a plurality of optical radiation signals (9) on the basis of a predetermined operating point (10) and the optical carrier signal (7) in such a way that the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) have mutually different frequency bands (20, 21, 22), and-a transmitting device (4), which is designed to convert the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) into a plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) and to transmit the plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) by means of at least one radio-based transmitting unit (12, 13, 18). A plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) are radiated from the radiation source (12, 14). The invention further relates to a method and to a motor vehicle (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sensor system for environmental detection. The sensor system includes optical devices for generating optical carrier signals. The sensor system also includes a transmitting device configured to emit an electroradiative signal based on the optical carrier signal.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a sensor system.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a sensor system. Background Technology

[0004] US 2021 / 0 055 387 A1 discloses a coherent LiDAR system. The LiDAR system includes a light source configured to emit locally oscillating light and optical pulses coherent with corresponding portions of the locally oscillating light. Furthermore, the LiDAR system includes a laser and an amplifier. Additionally, the LiDAR system includes a receiver configured to receive the locally oscillating light and the optical pulses, thereby enabling the determination of the distance to an object.

[0005] Furthermore, for example, US 2021 / 0 072 381 A1 discloses a system and method for improved velocity resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio in optical phase-coded distance detection. Here, an electrical signal generated by mixing a first optical signal and a second optical signal can be received, wherein the first optical signal is generated by modulating the optical signal, and the second optical signal is generated for a certain value in response to the emission of the first optical signal. The Doppler frequency shift of the second optical signal can be determined, and a corrected electrical signal can be generated by matching the electrical signal based on the Doppler frequency shift. The distance to the object can be determined based on the cross-correlation between the corrected electrical signal and the high-frequency signal.

[0006] Furthermore, US 11,032,009 B1 discloses a method for transmitting signals of a user equipment in a wireless communication system. This method further includes: generating an optical signal associated with data transmission, combining an electrical signal for data with the optical signal, and transmitting the combined signal. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The objective of this invention is to create a sensor system that can be used more widely and is minimized in terms of its complexity.

[0008] This task is solved by the sensor system, method, and motor vehicle as described in the independent patent claims. Meaningful improvements are derived from the dependent patent claims.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention relates to a sensor system for environmental detection, comprising: - Optical devices used to generate optical carrier signals. - A transmitting device configured to emit an electrical signal based on an optical carrier signal, having: - An electro-optic modulator with a preset operating point. - An electro-optic modulator, configured to generate multiple optical emission signals based on a preset operating point and an optical carrier signal, such that the multiple optical emission signals have different frequency bands from each other, and - A transmitting device configured to convert multiple optical emission signals into multiple electrical emission signals, and to emit multiple electrical emission signals using at least one radio-based transmitting unit.

[0010] The proposed sensor system can be used to create a radar system or a LIDAR-radar-integrated system, which has low complexity and, however, multiple frequency bands by means of (especially unique) electro-optic modulators.

[0011] Unlike current optically assisted radar systems, the proposed sensor system uses multiple frequency bands or radar bands for object detection. Unlike known multi-band optically assisted radar systems, the electro-optic modulator of the sensor system according to the invention eliminates the need for a separate phase shifter to generate the bands. Previously, such radar bands or frequency bands were subsequently separated using optical filters, and the radar ramp was modulated in a separate electro-optic modulator. This can be improved with the proposed sensor system.

[0012] The proposed sensor system requires only one electro-optic modulator to generate radar and / or LiDAR signals in different frequency bands or wavebands. For example, the sensor system can be a radar system or a LiDAR-radar system. For instance, the sensor system can be used as a photonic multi-band LiDAR-radar system.

[0013] Unlike existing sensor systems, the proposed sensor system does not use separate hardware components for each individual frequency band generation. With the proposed sensor system, different frequency bands can be generated using the same components or units via an electro-optic modulator.

[0014] Furthermore, the proposed sensor system can manipulate multiple bands or frequency zones using specific hardware (especially unique hardware, such as an electro-optic modulator). This minimizes the cost and complexity of the entire system (especially the sensor system) used for environmental detection. Another advantage of the sensor system according to the invention is, for example, that it eliminates the need for a mode-coupled laser (MLL) and separately manipulated phase shifters to generate different frequency bands. Similarly, it eliminates the need for an optical bandpass filter, which separates the bands before each individual band can be manipulated independently. This can be eliminated by the proposed sensor system.

[0015] Since the electro-optic modulator of the sensor system can generate or manipulate multiple frequency bands or radar bands by means of units or hardware components, the sensor system according to the present invention can reduce the complexity, failure probability and cost compared with the sensor system in the prior art.

[0016] Cost and complexity can be reduced by omitting the phase shifter (as is not feasible in the prior art). Further advantages of the sensor system according to the invention arise from omitting the mode-coupled laser (MLL) used to generate the frequency band in known systems. MLLs are inherently short-lived and very expensive. This increases the failure probability of systems with MLLs, and such systems cannot be cost-effectively implemented. Additional optical bandpass filters are required to separate the frequency bands, which are discretely very expensive and generate additional energy, such as additional heat dissipation, which must be compensated for. This increases the system's power loss or cost. The disadvantages mentioned when using MLLs can be overcome using the proposed sensor system.

[0017] Compared to existing technologies, the proposed sensor system requires only an electro-optic modulator to generate multiple frequency bands or radar bands. Furthermore, through optical beat allocation, the sensor system can also be used in systems targeting large equipment.

[0018] With minor hardware modifications, sensor systems can be used as radar systems as well as for radar-LIDAR integrated systems. By selecting the necessary components, sensor systems can be implemented not only as discrete, integrated solutions but also as partially integrated solutions.

[0019] In contrast to the lifespan issues of mode-coupled lasers, electro-optic modulators have a longer lifespan, which is an advantage for sensor systems.

[0020] In particular, the electro-optic modulator is designed to generate multiple optical signals with different frequency bands. For this purpose, the electro-optic modulator can operate at preset or specific operating points. For example, the electro-optic modulator can be driven or operated at a point where many (at least some) feasible harmonics of the same amplitude can be generated. Specifically, the electro-optic modulator can operate primarily at an operating point where at least two harmonic signals can be generated. A harmonic can be understood as a harmonic oscillation whose frequency is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. Here, the fundamental frequency can be preset by the optical carrier signal.

[0021] Specifically, the Nyquist point can be used as the operating point. Correspondingly, electro-optic modulators can have operating modes that can be specified or defined based on the Nyquist-Punkt point. The Nyquist point, or critical point, can be understood as the point up to which the system is stable, considering the Nyquist standard. Furthermore, considering the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem, all components of the signal can have frequencies below the Nyquist frequency, thus allowing for arbitrarily precise reconstruction of the sampled signal. This is advantageous for current sensor systems because, for object detection, especially environmental sensing, the corresponding radar or sensor information can be evaluated or reconstructed accordingly.

[0022] With the aid of an electro-optic modulator, it is possible to use, for example, three frequency bands simultaneously or corresponding signals for environmental detection. This is particularly advantageous for improved location classification.

[0023] Multiple optical emission signals can be generated coherently with each other, thus having the same phase. Therefore, the generated emission signals are coupled in phase synchronization with each other.

[0024] The proposed sensor system can be used in a variety of applications, such as aerospace, marine, agriculture, automotive industry, or autonomous propulsion systems.

[0025] In particular, sensor systems can be used in motor vehicles capable of at least partially autonomous movement, but especially in fully autonomous vehicles. Reliable environmental perception is essential for achieving this level of autonomous driving. Here, sensors such as radar and / or LIDAR are used to detect the environment or surroundings. Comprehensive 360-degree three-dimensional detection of the surrounding environment is particularly important, enabling the detection of all static and dynamic objects. For this purpose, sensor systems can be used. For example, a sensor system can be constructed as a photonic radar system or a photonic LIDAR-radar system, in which electronic and photonic components are integrated together in a (particularly unique) semiconductor chip. Tracking of the FMCW signal, as well as the entire signal processing and evaluation, can be performed here in a central station or central computing device. For example, signal transmission as a gigahertz signal as an optical carrier signal can be performed, particularly in the terahertz frequency range, using optical equipment. The central station (which can also be called a central electronic computing device) generates the optical carrier frequency, and in particular, the optical carrier signal. In particular, all data used for environmental detection can be processed at the central station.

[0026] In particular, the spectral characteristics of optical emission signals can be the same as those of electrical emission signals.

[0027] For example, optical devices or optical lasers can generate a 77 GHz FMCW signal as a carrier signal.

[0028] For example, at least optical devices can be provided to modulate optical transmission signals or optical carrier signals directly and / or by means of external components.

[0029] Specifically, an electro-optic modulator can be referred to as an electro-optic converter unit or an electro-optic converter device.

[0030] In one embodiment, the electro-optic modulator is configured to additionally consider a high-frequency signal provided to the electro-optic modulator in order to generate multiple optical emission signals. The electro-optic modulator can be designed and, in particular, operated so as to generate or produce multiple optical emission signals having different frequency bands from each other. For this purpose, the electro-optic modulator operates at a preset operating point, and the electro-optic modulator can additionally modulate using the high-frequency signal.

[0031] High-frequency signals can be, for example, RF signals (radio frequency signals). These high-frequency signals can include a frequency range from 9 kHz to terahertz.

[0032] In one embodiment, the transmitting device is configured to have at least one photoelectric converter unit that can convert multiple optical emission signals into multiple electro-emission signals. For example, the multiple optical emission signals can be transmitted to the transmitting device via an optical transmission path or optical transmission segment. This can be achieved, for example, using a glass fiber optic connector. Subsequently, the transmitted multiple optical emission signals are converted using one or more photoelectric converter units or photoelectric converter devices, so that the multiple electro-emission signals can be provided or supplied to at least one radio-based transmitting unit (such as a radar sensor) for emission.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting device has at least one frequency manipulator, which can be used to change at least one frequency band of one of a plurality of electromagnetic emission signals. For example, the transmitting device may have multiple frequency manipulators or mixers. With the aid of at least one frequency manipulator, a frequency band of one of a plurality of emission signals, or multiple frequency bands of a plurality of electromagnetic emission signals, can be converted to a higher or lower frequency band based on a defined bandwidth. Therefore, frequency conversion can be performed with the aid of a frequency manipulator. In other words, with the aid of a frequency manipulator, at least one frequency band of one of a plurality of electromagnetic emission signals can be manipulated for emission, particularly for environmental detection.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting device has at least one electrical amplifier for amplifying at least one frequency band of one of a plurality of electroradiative signals. Besides the at least one electrical amplifier, the transmitting device may have additional electrical amplifiers. In particular, an amplifier may be provided for each of the plurality of electroradiative signals, so that the corresponding frequency band of the respective electroradiative signal can be electrically amplified for emission.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sensor system is configured to have an optical transmitting unit of a transmitting device. The optical transmitting unit is configured to directly emit at least one of a plurality of optical emission signals. In other words, the transmitting device can have different emission capabilities. Therefore, the transmitting device, and thus the sensor system, can have not only at least one optical transmitting unit but also at least one radio-based transmitting unit. Accordingly, the sensor system according to the invention can be configured as a radar-LIDAR combined system. Therefore, the sensor system has expanded functionality, thus allowing for wider application. Therefore, the sensor system has two measurement principles. This is advantageous in environmental detection, especially in detecting objects in the surrounding environment. This is particularly advantageous for use in autonomous vehicles.

[0036] The transmitting device may be referred to as a combined device, for example, which can detect objects and / or the environment by means of radio, electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals.

[0037] A radio-based transmitting unit can be a device capable of environmental detection using radio, electrical, and / or electromagnetic signals. Therefore, a radio-based transmitting unit can be, for example, a radar unit. An optical transmitting unit or an optical-based transmitting unit can be a unit and / or device that detects objects and / or the environment using optical signals (e.g., light from lasers and / or light-emitting diodes (LEDs)). For example, an optical transmitting unit can be a LiDAR unit.

[0038] Multiple generated or produced optical emission signals can be provided or transmitted through a radio-based transmitting unit and an optical transmission segment of the optical transmitting unit. Thus, various signals with different frequency bands can be emitted directly as optical emission signals for environmental detection, and can also be indirectly emitted as electrical signals by means of conversion and / or manipulation. Therefore, a sensor system that can be used not only as a LIDAR system but also as a radar system can be provided.

[0039] In one embodiment, the sensor system is further configured to have a receiving device having at least one radio-based receiving unit for receiving at least one electrical received signal. Additionally, the receiving device may have at least one mixer, which can be used to change the frequency band of the at least one electrical received signal. Furthermore, the sensor system has a computing device configured to process the electrical received signal.

[0040] With the aid of a radio-based receiving unit, electrical signals, such as at least one electrical receiving signal, can be received.

[0041] For example, at least one electrical received signal can be a signal corresponding to multiple electrical emitted signals. In particular, if electrical emitted signals are emitted into the surrounding environment and reflect back when they encounter objects, these reflected signals can be received. This can be, for example, an electrical received signal. In particular, the electrical received signal contains environmental information, especially radar information. For example, for each emitted electrical emitted signal, a corresponding electrical received signal reflected in the surrounding environment can be received by the transmitting device.

[0042] At least one received electrical signal or multiple received electrical signals can be processed accordingly and, for example, modified within their frequency band using at least one mixer or frequency manipulator, particularly upmixing or downmixing.

[0043] The computing device can be, in particular, a central computing device. The computing device can be connected or coupled, for example, to transmitting and / or receiving devices in terms of signal technology or data technology. The receiving device can have corresponding outputs and inputs, thereby enabling, for example, the transmission of received electrical signals to the computing device for evaluation or processing. Thus, environmental detection can be performed.

[0044] For example, the central processing or manipulation of data, signals, and information, especially regarding environmental detection, takes place in a central computing device.

[0045] For example, computing devices can be used to control transmitting and / or receiving devices. In particular, computing devices can be used as manipulation and evaluation units for sensor systems, and especially for transmitting and receiving devices.

[0046] Correspondingly, for example, various transmitting and / or receiving devices can be controlled, operated, or manipulated using the same central computing device.

[0047] The computing device can be coupled to the transmitting and / or receiving devices via one or more glass optical fibers and / or wires.

[0048] In one embodiment, the receiving device is configured to have at least one optical receiving unit for receiving optical signals, wherein a computing device is configured to process the optical signals, and particularly, the receiving device has an optical demodulator for demodulating the optical signals. Therefore, the sensor system can be used as a LIDAR-radar-integrated system. In addition to a radio-based receiving unit, the receiving device may also have at least one optical receiving unit or optical receiving device. With the aid of the optical receiving unit, an optical signal corresponding to, for example, one of a plurality of optical emission signals directly emitted can be received. Therefore, in addition to the radar measurement principle, the sensor system also employs the LIDAR measurement principle as its measurement principle.

[0049] For example, the optical receiving unit can be integrated with or on the radio-based receiving unit within the receiving device. It is also conceivable that the optical receiving unit and the radio-based receiving unit are separate units of the receiving device.

[0050] Furthermore, the receiving device may have multiple optical receiving units, thereby receiving the corresponding optical signals in a manner similar to that of multiple emitted optical signals.

[0051] Using an optical demodulator, it is possible to reacquire a useful signal, such as a carrier signal in baseband, which was previously modulated onto the carrier. In particular, the in-phase and quadrature-phase method (I&Q method) can be performed, thereby obtaining phase information when demodulating a high-frequency carrier signal.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the receiving device may have at least one photoelectric converter unit that can modulate an optical output signal based on at least one of a plurality of optical emission signals and at least one electrical reception signal. In the photoelectric converter unit or photoelectric converter device (which may be referred to as a detector, for example), at least one of the received electrical reception signal and at least one of the optical emission signal can be modulated. Therefore, in addition to at least one electrical reception signal, a corresponding optical emission signal can be supplied to the photoelectric converter unit, thereby generating an optical output signal by means of modulation. This optical output signal may further contain environmental information, and thus can be transmitted to a computing device for further evaluation or processing.

[0053] In particular, electrical received signals and optical emitted signals, which have at least substantially the same frequency band, can be supplied to the photoelectric converter unit.

[0054] In one embodiment, the sensor system has another optical device for generating another optical carrier signal. Furthermore, the sensor system has another electro-optic modulator configured to generate multiple optical signals based on the other optical carrier signal, i.e., such that the multiple optical signals have different frequency bands from each other. Additionally, the sensor system has at least one photoelectric converter unit of the receiving device, which can modulate the optical output signal based on at least one of the multiple optical signals and at least one electrically received signal. Therefore, the multiple optical output signals of the electro-optic modulator for generating or modulating the optical output signal can be optionally omitted here, since the receiving device is supplied with different optical signals with different frequency bands from another broadband light source.

[0055] Using an optical device, such as a light source, another optical carrier signal can be supplied to the receiving device. This other optical transmission signal can be the same as the optical carrier signal. Another electro-optic modulator can be constructed similarly to the electro-optic modulator already mentioned.

[0056] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a sensor system according to the foregoing aspects or advantageous modifications thereof. The electro-optic modulator operates in a specific operating mode, wherein in this specific operating mode, a plurality of optical emission signals are generated such that the plurality of optical emission signals have different frequency bands from each other.

[0057] In particular, the sensor system described above can be operated using the method now depicted. Here, the electro-optic modulator can operate at an operating point where as many harmonics of possibly equal amplitude as possible can be generated. Thus, different frequency bands can be generated using the electro-optic modulator. Therefore, the sensor system can be widely used, especially for better detection of the surrounding environment.

[0058] In one embodiment of the method, the electro-optic modulator is configured to operate in a specific operating mode by defining the Nyquist point as the operating point of the electro-optic modulator. This allows the generation of multiple harmonic signals. In particular, the Nyquist point provides the advantage that the multiple optical emission signals are in phase with each other. Therefore, stable signals can be generated and emitted for environmental detection.

[0059] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with a sensor system according to the foregoing aspects or advantageous modifications thereof. In particular, the motor vehicle described herein includes a sensor system according to the foregoing aspects.

[0060] In particular, the motor vehicle is an assisted or at least partially automated vehicle. Specifically, the motor vehicle is a highly automated motor vehicle that incorporates various driver assistance systems. These driver assistance systems can utilize proposed sensor systems and, for example, retrieve environmental information. In particular, the motor vehicle may have multiple such sensor systems.

[0061] In particular, multiple transmitting and receiving devices can be arranged in and / or in a motor vehicle. They can also be coupled to a central computing device, which may be centrally integrated in the motor vehicle.

[0062] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as an automobile, especially a passenger car or truck, or a bus or motorcycle. Furthermore, trams, subways, trains, ships, airplanes, satellites and other mobile units can also be equipped with this sensor technology.

[0063] For example, sensor system units can be distributed throughout a vehicle, particularly for environmental detection. Specifically, the sensor system can be an environmental detection system.

[0064] Such sensor systems can be used, in particular, in motor vehicles, rail vehicles, ships, or automated systems, or in aerospace or space technology. In particular, sensor systems can be used for environmental sensing or for detecting objects or environmental pollution.

[0065] Embodiments of various aspects of the present invention can be considered as advantageous embodiments of other aspects, especially all other aspects. In particular, corresponding embodiments of various aspects can be considered as advantageous embodiments of all other aspects, and vice versa.

[0066] For example, an environmental sensor system can be understood as a sensor system capable of generating sensor data or sensor signals that reflect, present, or reproduce the surrounding environment. In particular, the ability to detect electromagnetic signals or other signals from the surrounding environment is insufficient to classify a sensor system as an environmental sensor system. For example, cameras, radar systems, lidar systems, and / or ultrasonic sensor systems can be understood as environmental sensor systems.

[0067] The present invention also includes improvements to the motor vehicle and method according to the invention, which have the features already described in the improvement of the sensor system according to the invention. For this reason, corresponding improvements to the motor vehicle and method according to the invention will not be described again here.

[0068] The present invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0069] Embodiments of the invention are described below. For this purpose: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle having a sensor system according to the present invention is shown; Figure 2 Showing from Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the computing and transmitting devices of a sensor system; Figure 3 Showing from Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a transmitting device, which has additional optical transmitting equipment; Figure 4 Showing from Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the receiving device of sensor system 2; Figure 5 Showing from Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the receiving device of sensor system 2; and Figure 6 Showing from Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the receiving device of the sensor system 2. Detailed Implementation

[0070] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the embodiments, the described components represent various features of the invention that can be considered independently of each other, and each also independently improves the invention, and therefore can be considered as part of the invention individually or in combinations different from those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0071] In the figure, components with the same function are given the same reference symbol.

[0072] The invention is presented in detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that different aspects are described, and they may be used individually or in combination. That is, any aspect may be used with different embodiments of the invention, unless explicitly presented as a purely alternative.

[0073] Furthermore, for the sake of brevity, reference will generally always be made to only one entity. However, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the invention may have multiple related entities. In this regard, the use of the terms "a," "an," and "an" should only be understood as indicating the use of at least one entity in a simplified embodiment.

[0074] The steps of a method may be arranged and / or combined in any order, provided that no exceptions are explicitly derived through association, as long as the method is described below. Furthermore, methods may be combined with each other unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0075] Generally, descriptions with numerical values ​​should not be interpreted as precise values, but also include tolerances of + / -1% to + / -10%.

[0076] Reference to a standard or specification shall be regarded as reference to the standard or specification in force at the time of application and / or (where priority is claimed) at the time of priority application. However, this shall not be construed as generally excluding the applicability of the following or alternative standards or specifications.

[0077] Figure 1 A schematic top view of one embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 is shown. The motor vehicle may be configured, for example, as a highly automated vehicle or a vehicle that operates at least partially automatically.

[0078] Motor vehicle 1 may, for example, have a sensor system 2. With the aid of sensor system 2, environmental detection of the surrounding environment 3 of motor vehicle 1 can be performed. For example, sensor system 2 may be a component of a driver assistance system of motor vehicle 1. In particular, sensor system 2 accordingly provides information, especially regarding the surrounding environment 3, to the driver assistance system or vehicle guidance system.

[0079] In addition to its use in motor vehicle 1, sensor system 2 can also be used in systems outside the vehicle. For example, sensor system 2 can be applied to automation systems, aerospace technology, aviation technology, or communication technology.

[0080] exist Figure 1 To illustrate this further, an example is shown where sensor system 2 is integrated into vehicle 1.

[0081] exist Figure 2In the illustrations, particularly in the block diagrams, one of several embodiments of the sensor system 2 is presented.

[0082] Here, in Figure 2 The transmitting device 4 and computing device 5 of the sensor system 2 are illustrated by way of example. The computing device 5 is used in particular for signal processing, signal evaluation and / or signal assessment of the sensor system 2.

[0083] The computing device 5 may be, for example, the central unit, central control unit, or central control unit of the sensor system 2.

[0084] The sensor system 2 particularly includes an optical device 6, which can provide or generate an optical carrier signal 7 or an optical transmission signal. For example... Figure 2 As exemplarily presented, optical device 6 can be integrated into computing device 5.

[0085] Optical device 6 can be, for example, a laser device or a light source.

[0086] In the presentation Figure 2 In this example, the optical device 6 is integrated into the computing device 5. However, this is only one feasible example. Similarly, the optical device 6 can be constructed as a separate unit.

[0087] Sensor system 2 may have an electro-optic modulator 8, which may be integrated or arranged in computing device 5, for example. With the aid of electro-optic modulator 8, multiple optical emission signals 9 (simplified presentation here) can be generated or produced based on optical carrier signal 7. In particular, electro-optic modulator 8 is designed such that radar ramps, radar signals, or emission signals can be realized in different wavebands or frequency bands. Accordingly, the sensor system requires only a single electro-optic modulator 8 for this purpose. To achieve this, electro-optic modulator 8 operates at a preset or specific operating point. Here, the operating point is driven or manipulated by generating as many harmonics as possible (i.e., harmonic oscillations whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency). The fundamental frequency can again be provided by means of optical carrier signal 7. These harmonics can have the same amplitude. To achieve this particularly advantageously, the Nyquist point can be used as operating point 10.

[0088] Based on the operating point 10 and the optical carrier signal 7, multiple optical emission signals 9 can be generated such that the multiple optical emission signals 9 have different frequency bands from each other. For this purpose, the electro-optic modulator 8 can optionally additionally use a high-frequency signal 11 for modulation. Here, the high-frequency signal is mainly an RF signal.

[0089] For environmental detection, sensor system 2 has at least one transmitting device 4, which has at least one radio-based transmitting unit 12. In this embodiment, three or more radio-based transmitting units 12, 13, 14 are presented. The radio-based transmitting units 12, 13, 14 can be radar sensor-based units or devices.

[0090] The generated multiple optical emission signals 9 can be transmitted, for example, via an optical transmission segment (such as a glass optical fiber) or sent to the transmitting device 4 or another transmitting device of the sensor system 2.

[0091] The transmitting device 4 may, for example, have at least one photoelectron converter unit 15. This converter unit 15 is used to photoelectronically convert multiple optical emission signals 9 into multiple electro-emission signals 16, 17, 18. After conversion, the electro-emission signals 16, 17, 18 can be separated accordingly by means of a distributor 19, particularly according to their frequency bands. The distributor 19 may be, for example, a "1x3 power divider". Furthermore, a narrowband photoelectron converter or an electrical bandpass filter can also be used as the distributor 19. Following the distributor 19, the electrical signals 16, 17, 18 can be separated or distributed according to their frequency bands 20, 21, 22. For example, the electro-emission signals 16, 17, 18 and the same multiple optical emission signals 9 can be coherent with each other and, in particular, have the same phase. Accordingly, the proposed sensor system 2 can be operated or used in such a way that it simultaneously or synchronously targets multiple (e.g., Figure 2 The measurements are presented for three different frequency bands. This is particularly advantageous for location classification in environmental detection.

[0092] After separating the electromagnetic emission signals 16, 17, and 18, they can be modified in their respective frequency bands 20, 21, and 22 using frequency manipulators 23, 24, and 25 or frequency mixers, particularly by upmixing. Furthermore, the corresponding frequency bands 20, 21, and 22 can then be amplified or enhanced using appropriate electrical amplifiers 26, 27, and 28. After the electromagnetic emission signals 16, 17, and 18 have been upmixed and amplified, they can be emitted or radiated into the surrounding environment 3 using appropriate radio-based transmitting units 16, 17, and 18 (which may be referred to as antennas, for example) for environmental detection.

[0093] For example, transmitting device 4 can be referred to as a transmitting module. Transmitting device 4 can be controlled or operated, for example, by means of computing device 5, thereby transmitting at least one radar-based signal, namely signals 16, 17, and 18. In particular, Figure 2The embodiment shown illustrates the use of sensor system 2 as a radar system. Here, a multi-band radar can be created by means of the electro-optic modulator 8 according to the invention. In particular, this can be called a "Nyquist-Puls-Multiband-Radar".

[0094] The computing device 5 can be a spatially and / or physically separate unit from the transmitting device 4. In this case, the computing device 5 and the transmitting device 4 can be connected through multiple optical transmission paths or optical transmission segments so that optical signals can be exchanged or transmitted. Alternatively, in another design, the transmitting device 4 and the computing device 5 can be integrated into a common unit.

[0095] For example, in Figure 2 As shown, different frequency bands 20, 21, 22 of the emitted signal can be allowed to be emitted using the transmitting device 4. Similarly, it is conceivable that each emitted signal or each frequency band uses a dedicated transmitting device 4.

[0096] In particular, sensor systems can be conceived or designed according to the application requirements.

[0097] exist Figure 3 Another embodiment of the sensor system 2 presents its use as a LIDAR-radar-integrated system. Regarding the generation of multiple optical emission signals 9 and the emission of multiple electrical emission signals 16, 17, 18, please refer again... Figure 2 The implementation plan in the document. Figure 3 The implementation method in the middle is relative to Figure 2 The difference in the implementation is that the sensor system 2 additionally has at least one optical emission unit 29. This optical emission unit 29 can be, in particular, a LIDAR-based sensor. With the aid of the optical emission unit 29, at least one of the plurality of optical emission signals 9 can be directly emitted for environmental detection. Here, after the plurality of optical emission signals 9 are generated by means of the optical unit 30 (which can be configured, for example, as a "1x2 splitter"), the optical emission signals 9 can be distributed or branched. Therefore, as... Figure 2 As already explained, on the one hand, the optical emission signal 9 can be transmitted to radio-based transmitting units 12, 13, 14 for conversion into electrical emission signals 16, 17, 18. Additionally, the optical emission signal 9 of at least one optical transmitting unit 29 or another optical transmitting unit can be transmitted.

[0098] For example, the optical emitting unit 29 may be a component of the emitting device 4. It is also conceivable that the optical emitting unit 29 may be constructed separately from the emitting device 4.

[0099] Therefore, utilizing Figure 3The implementation in this method can combine radar and LIDAR systems, i.e., with sensor system 2. Combined operation and evaluation can be performed using computing device 5. Furthermore, radar and LIDAR signals, or radio-based signals and optical-based signals, can be coherently coupled, and combined signal processing can be provided for transmitting units 12, 13, 14, 29 using computing device 5.

[0100] exist Figure 4 The diagram illustrates one implementation of the receiving device 31 of the sensor system 2. For example, the receiving device 31 can be combined with the transmitting device 4. Here, they are at least partially integrated into a single device. For example, in the combination, the transmitting device 4 and the receiving device 31 can be combined through replaceable or operable components, thereby allowing switching between receiving and transmitting operations, for example, depending on the situation.

[0101] The receiving device 31 may have at least one radio-based receiving unit 32, 33, 34. Here, the receiving unit may be a radar-based receiving unit. With the aid of the radio-based receiving units 32, 33, 34, at least one electrical receiving signal 35, 36, 37 can be received. One or more receiving signals 35, 36, 37 may be signals corresponding to electromagnetically emitted signals 16, 17, 18 and reflected in the surrounding environment 3.

[0102] In particular, the transmitting device 4 and the receiving device 31 can complement each other.

[0103] For example, the received electrical signals 35, 36, and 37 can be down-mixed using at least one mixer 38, 39, or 40. Specifically, this involves changing or matching the corresponding frequency bands of the received signals 35, 36, and 37. Additionally, depending on the signal strength of the received signals 35, 36, and 37, they can be amplified using corresponding amplifiers 41, 42, or 43. The received electrical signals 35, 36, and 37 can then be provided to an electrical output terminal. Here, the received electrical signals can be transmitted, in particular, to the computing device 5 or other evaluation or processing unit.

[0104] exist Figure 5 Another implementation method presented in China is from Figure 4 An extension of the receiving device 31.

[0105] exist Figure 5In the embodiment described, the receiving device 31 is specifically designed to enable optical return. Here, the multi-band optical emission signal 9 can be further decomposed into individual optical carriers or frequency bands by means of optical filters 44, 45, 46. For this purpose, the optical emission signal 9 can be further divided or selected by unit 59 (e.g., a "1x4 power splitter"). For example, optical filters 44, 45, 46 can operate using a time-of-flight method, such as, for example, "Time-of-Flight (ToF)". The divided and thus filtered emission signal 9 can then be modulated against or using the received electrical received signals 35, 36, 37. For this purpose, at least one optoelectronic converter unit 47, 48, 49 can be used again. Thus, for example, the optical output signal 50 is modulated based on the emission signal 9 and the received signals 35, 36, 37. For this purpose, after the process of converter units 47, 48, 48, the signals can be combined again by means of unit 51 (e.g., a "1x3 power combiner"), so that the optical output signal 50 is provided, for example, at the optical output terminal. This can be provided or transmitted again to computing device 5 or other processing units for use.

[0106] exist Figure 6 It presents a kind of understanding of Figure 5 The alternative options for receiving device 31 are presented here again. Figure 5 The receiving circuit with an optical output terminal is used, but here the corresponding frequency band of another broadband light source is used. For this purpose, another optical device 52 can be used. This optical device can generate another optical carrier signal 53. The carrier signal 53 can again be the same as the carrier signal 7. The other optical device 52 can be another light source. By means of another electro-optic modulator 54 (which can be constructed, for example, the same as electro-optic modulator 8), multiple optical signals 55, 56, 57 can be generated based on the carrier signal 53. Therefore, the carrier signal 53 can be divided into multiple bands or frequency bands again. For this purpose, a splitter 58, such as a "1x3 power splitter", can be used. The modulator 54 can also operate at operating point 10 in a similar manner to modulator 8. Subsequently, the bands or frequency bands of signals 55, 56, 57 can be divided again by means of optical filters 44, 45, 46 and then modulated. Here, converter units 47, 48, 48 can be used again. Therefore, based on the optical signals 55, 56, 57 and the received electrical signals 35, 36, 37, an optical output signal can be generated by modulation.

[0107] Another alternative for device 52 is to use a broadband light source.

[0108] Similarly, it is conceivable to individually modulate the light from one or more light sources for each received signal 35, 36, 37.

[0109] Furthermore, for use as a LIDAR-radar-integrated system, sensor system 2 may have at least one optical receiving unit for receiving optical signals. These optical signals may correspond to the directly emitted emission signal 9. For this purpose, computing device 5 may be configured to process the optical signals. Additionally, the optical signals can be demodulated using an optical demodulator.

[0110] Figures 2 to 6 The implementation methods can be combined with each other in different ways depending on the application of sensor system 2 or the application field.

[0111] In particular, the computing device 5, the transmitting device 4, and the receiving device 31 may be physically and / or spatially separate units. Alternatively, the transmitting device 4, the receiving device 31, and the computing device 5 may be formed together as a common unit.

[0112] Reference Symbol List 1 Motor vehicles 2 Sensor System 3. Surrounding environment 4. Launching equipment 5. Computing equipment 6. Optical equipment 7 Optical carrier signal 8 Electro-optic modulator 9 Multiple optical emission signals 10 working points 11 High-frequency signals 12, 13, 14 Radio-based transmitting units 15 photoelectric converter units Multiple electron emission signals, numbers 16, 17, and 18. 19 Distributors Frequency bands 20, 21, and 22 23, 24, 25 Frequency Manipulator 26, 27, 28 Amplifiers 29 Optical emission units 30 optical units 31 Receiving equipment 32, 33, 34 Radio-based receiving units 35, 36, 37 Electrically received signals 38, 39, 40 Mixers 41, 42, 43 Amplifiers 44, 45, 46 Optical filters 47, 48, 49 Optoelectronic converter units 50 Optical Output Signal Unit 51 52 Other optical equipment 53. Other optical carrier signals 54 Other electro-optic modulators 55, 56, 57 Multiple optical signals 58 Distributor 59 Distributor

Claims

1. Sensor system (2) for environmental detection, with - an optical device (6) for generating an optical carrier signal (7), - a transmitting device (4), which is configured to radiate electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) based on the optical carrier signal (7), characterized in that - an electro-optical modulator (8) with a preset operating point (10), - the electro-optical modulator (8) is configured to generate a plurality of optical radiation signals (9) based on the preset operating point (10) and the optical carrier signal (7) in such a way that the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) have mutually different frequency bands (20, 21, 22), and - the transmitting device (4) is configured to convert the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) into a plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) and to radiate the plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) using at least one radio-based transmitting unit (12, 13, 14).

2. Sensor system (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electro-optical modulator (8) is configured to additionally take into account a high-frequency signal (11) supplied to the electro-optical modulator (8) for generating the plurality of optical radiation signals (9).

3. Sensor system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the transmitting device (4) has at least one optoelectronic converter unit (15) with which the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) can be converted into the plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18), and / or - the transmitting device (4) has at least one frequency manipulator (23, 24, 25) with which at least one frequency band (20, 21, 22) of one of the plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18) can be changed, and / or - the transmitting device (4) has at least one electrical amplifier (26, 27, 28) for amplifying at least one frequency band (20, 21, 22) of one of the plurality of electrical radiation signals (16, 17, 18).

4. Sensor system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitting device (4) has an optical transmitting unit (29) which is configured to radiate at least one of the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) directly.

5. Sensor system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a receiving device (31) has at least one radio-based receiving unit (32, 33, 34) for receiving at least one electrical receiving signal (35, 36, 37), in particular the receiving device (31) has at least one mixer (38, 39, 40) with which a frequency band (20, 21, 22) of the at least one electrical receiving signal (35, 36, 37) can be changed, and - a computing device (5) is configured for processing the electrical receiving signal (35, 36, 37).

6. Sensor system (2) according to claim 5, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ characterized in that - the receiving device (31) has at least one optical receiving unit for receiving an optical receiving signal, wherein the computing device (5) is configured to process the optical receiving signal, in particular the receiving device (31) has an optical demodulator for demodulating the optical receiving signal, and / or - the receiving device (31) has at least one optoelectronic converter unit with which an optical output signal (50) can be modulated on the basis of at least one of the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) and the at least one electrical receiving signal (35, 36, 37).

7. The sensor system (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that - a further optical device (52) for generating a further optical carrier signal (53), - a further electro-optical modulator (54) which is configured to generate a plurality of optical signals (55, 56, 57) on the basis of the further optical carrier signal (53) in such a way that the plurality of optical signals (55, 56, 57) has frequency bands (20, 21, 22) which differ from one another, - at least one optoelectronic converter unit (47, 48, 49) of the receiving device (31) with which an optical output signal (50) can be modulated on the basis of at least one of the plurality of optical signals (55, 56, 57) and the at least one electrical receiving signal (35, 36, 37).

8. A method for operating a sensor system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the electro-optical modulator (8) is operated in a specific operating mode, wherein in the specific operating mode of the electro-optical modulator (8) the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) is generated in such a way that the plurality of optical radiation signals (9) has frequency bands (20, 21, 22) which differ from one another.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the electro-optical modulator (8) is operated in the specific operating mode in such a way that the Nyquist point is specified as a working point (10) of the electro-optical modulator (8).

10. A motor vehicle (1) with a sensor system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

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