Camera-style lidar system and method

a lidar system and camera technology, applied in distance measurement, surveying and navigation, instruments, etc., can solve problems such as beam-sharing systems

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-06-04
ARETE ASSOCIATES INC
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new design for an optical apparatus that allows for better calibration and improved pointing accuracy. The design includes a beam expander that controls the beam waist or divergence, and an auxiliary optical train that enables closed-loop, real-time calibration of the deflections. This results in a more reliable and accurate pointing of the optical apparatus even under various circumstances.

Problems solved by technology

The aperture- or beam-sharing systems suffer from an intrinsic limitation that the light-transfer efficiency of the system for reception purposes is constrained to be the same as for transmission purposes—whereas the latter is held to the relatively small values appropriate for MEMS beam steering.

Method used

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  • Camera-style lidar system and method
  • Camera-style lidar system and method
  • Camera-style lidar system and method

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Embodiment Construction

[0068]A reflective element or module 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2)—which can be a small, single mirror, or a MEMS scan mirror, or a MEMS scan-mirror array—can be used for projection but not for capturing the reflected beam. As in previous work of Bowker, Lubard and McLean, as well as our own earlier innovations mentioned above, it is possible to accumulate data that give, in effect, a three-dimensional impression of a region by aggregating numerous two-dimensional or flying-spot data elements.

[0069]The lidar system includes an afocal MEMS beam-steering (AMBS) transmitter TX (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), and a receiver RX. The AMBS transmitter system (hereinafter “AMBS-TX”) and the receiver system address a common field of regard (“FOR”), with angular extent θFOR, about the X and Z axes (FIGS. 3 and 5). More precisely, the angles θ (FIG. 1) that are actually shown represent horizontal angular position θx; whereas the orthogonal angles representing vertical angular position θz are in and out of the plane o...

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Abstract

An apparatus aspect of the disclosure includes a lidar transmitter emitting laser beams, and scan mirrors (or assemblies) angularly adjustable to deflect the beams in orthogonal directions. In one aspect, afocal optics magnify deflection, a transmitter aperture transmits the beam, and a lidar receiver doesn't share the transmitter aperture. In another aspect, auxiliary optics calibrate the deflection. A method aspect of the disclosure includes noticing and responding to a remote source, using a local laser, adjustable scan mirror or assembly, afocal deflection magnifier, transmission aperture and separate receiver. Method steps described include operating the receiver to notice and determine the location of the remote source, and controlling the transmitter to direct laser light back toward that location.

Description

PRIORITY STATEMENT[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 317,771, filed Dec. 29, 2008, which is a continuation of PCT Application #PCT / US07 / 014,992, filed Jun. 26, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application #60 / 816,656, filed Jun. 26, 2006.STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT[0002]This invention was made with government support under contract W911 QX-04-C-0024 awarded by the Department of the Army. The government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND[0003]The present system maintains the good pointing accuracy of those earlier shared-aperture or shared-beam systems, but by a different strategy as explained below. The aperture- or beam-sharing systems suffer from an intrinsic limitation that the light-transfer efficiency of the system for reception purposes is constrained to be the same as for transmission purposes—whereas the latter is held to the relatively small values appropriate for MEMS beam steering.[0004]Thus the prior ar...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G01S17/42G01S7/481
CPCG01S7/481G01S17/42
InventorKANE, DAVID M.DAIKER, JEFF T.MURRAY, JAMES T.
OwnerARETE ASSOCIATES INC