Plug-in laser radar transceiver assembly and laser radar

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of radar measurement, and particularly provides an insertion type laser radar transceiving assembly and a laser radar. The insertion type laser radar transceiving assembly comprises a first circulator, a second circulator, a phase modulator, a coupler and a multi-aperture optical fiber. The multi-aperture optical fiber comprises a central single-mode fiber core and a plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores surrounding the outer periphery of the central single-mode fiber core. The coupler performs optical fiber beam combining on a first detection signal light component and a second detection signal light component to form a detection signal light, and sends the detection signal light to an externally connected post-processing unit through the first circulator. Therefore, based on the multi-aperture optical fiber, the feedback detection light can be completely received in the form of receiving the first detection signal light component and the second detection signal light component, and after the complete beam-combined detection signal light is realized in the coupler, the detection signal light is sent out through the first circulator, thereby realizing the synchronous phase of the first detection signal light component and the second detection signal light component, and being beneficial to improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the laser radar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of radar measurement, specifically providing an insertable lidar transceiver assembly and a lidar. Background Technology

[0002] LiDAR has gained significant market attention and experienced rapid technological development in recent years. With its inherent advantages such as long operating range and strong anti-interference capabilities, LiDAR is widely used in fields such as autonomous driving. Currently, the mainstream LiDAR technology solutions on the market primarily employ mechanical components such as ultrafast galvanometers for laser scanning, which is a traditional mechanical scanning method. This is also the most mature and widely used solution in the market. Existing technologies typically employ fast galvanometers as the beam scanning unit to achieve high-speed scanning. When the emitted light encounters the target and returns to the beam scanning unit, a time difference occurs. During this time, the fast galvanometer rotates to a new angle, causing a slight spatial displacement deviation between the return path of the probe light within the beam scanning unit and the original emitted path. This results in a significant decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio, severely impacting the detection capability of the lidar. This is a common problem in existing technologies and urgently needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an insertable lidar transceiver assembly and a lidar.

[0004] The plug-in lidar transceiver assembly provided by the present invention specifically includes: a first circulator, a second circulator, a phase tuner, a coupler, and a multi-aperture optical fiber, wherein the multi-aperture optical fiber includes a central single-mode fiber core and a plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores surrounding the outer periphery of the central single-mode fiber core. The first circulator receives the transmitted signal light sent by the external transmitting unit and sends the transmitted signal light to the second circulator. The second circulator sends the transmitted signal light to the external scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core. The second circulator receives the first detection signal light component sent by the scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core, and sends the first detection signal light component to the phase tuner; The phase modulator receives the first detection signal optical component and sends the first detection signal optical component to the coupler; The coupler is connected to the scanning unit through a plurality of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores, and receives the second probe signal light component sent by the scanning unit through one or more of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores; The coupler combines the first and second detection signal light components into a fiber optic bundle to form a detection signal light, and then transmits the detection signal light to an external post-processing unit through the first circulator.

[0005] Preferably, the number of input single-mode fiber ports of the coupler is equal to the sum of the number of the central single-mode fiber core and the number of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores.

[0006] Preferably, the coupler further includes a plurality of input single-mode optical fibers, one end of each input single-mode optical fiber is connected to a corresponding surrounding single-mode fiber core, and each input single-mode optical fiber and the surrounding single-mode fiber core connected thereto form a surrounding fiber core group, wherein the lengths of the plurality of surrounding fiber core groups are equal. The other end of each of the input single-mode optical fibers is connected to a corresponding input single-mode optical fiber port.

[0007] Preferably, the second circulator is connected to the phase tuner, the phase tuner is connected to the coupler, and the coupler is connected to the first circulator via single-mode optical fiber.

[0008] Preferably, the phase modulator is also used to synchronize the phase of the first detection signal optical component and the second detection signal optical component.

[0009] A lidar includes an insertable lidar transceiver assembly as described in any of the above claims, and further includes the transmitting unit, a third circulator, the scanning unit, and a post-processing unit. The transmitting unit is connected to the third circulator, the third circulator is connected to the scanning unit through the lidar transceiver assembly, and the third circulator is connected to the post-processing unit. The transmitting unit sends the transmitted signal light to the third circulator; The third circulator receives the transmitted signal light and transmits it to the scanning unit through the plug-in lidar transceiver assembly; The third circulator receives the detection signal light fed back by the scanning unit and combined by the insert-type lidar transceiver assembly, and sends the detection signal light to the post-processing unit for data processing.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects: An insertable lidar transceiver assembly includes: a first circulator, a second circulator, a phase modulator, a coupler, and a multi-aperture optical fiber, wherein the multi-aperture optical fiber includes a central single-mode fiber core and a plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores surrounding the central single-mode fiber core; the first circulator receives transmitted signal light sent by an external transmitting unit and transmits the transmitted signal light to the second circulator, the second circulator transmits the transmitted signal light to an external scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core; the second circulator receives transmitted signal light from the scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core. The first detection signal light component is sent to the phase tuner; the phase tuner receives the first detection signal light component and sends it to the coupler; the coupler is connected to the scanning unit through multiple surrounding single-mode fiber cores, and receives the second detection signal light component sent by the scanning unit through one or more of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores; the coupler combines the first and second detection signal light components into a detection signal light, and sends the detection signal light to an external post-processing unit through the first circulator. This invention, based on multi-aperture optical fiber, can completely receive feedback detection light in the form of receiving the first and second detection signal light components, and after achieving complete beam combining of the detection signal light in the coupler, it is sent out through the first circulator, thereby achieving phase synchronization between the first and second detection signal light components, and improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the lidar. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an insertable lidar transceiver assembly provided according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a multi-aperture optical fiber provided according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a structural block diagram of a lidar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The reference numerals in the figures include: 100 - Insertion-type lidar transceiver assembly; 10 - First circulator; 20 - Second circulator; 30 - Phase modulator; 40 - Coupler; 50 - Multi-aperture fiber; 501 - Central single-mode fiber core; 502 - Surrounding single-mode fiber core; 200-LiDAR; 201-Transmitting unit; 202-Third circulator; 203-Scanning unit; 204-Post-processing unit. Detailed Implementation

[0013] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description below, the same modules are denoted by the same reference numerals. Where the same reference numerals are used, their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0014] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0015] Example 1 A plug-in lidar transceiver assembly, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes: a first circulator 10, a second circulator 20, a phase modulator 30, a coupler 40, and a multi-aperture fiber 50. The multi-aperture fiber 50 includes a central single-mode fiber core 501 and a plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502 surrounding the central single-mode fiber core 501. The first circulator 10 receives the transmitted signal light sent by the external transmitting unit and sends the transmitted signal light to the second circulator 20. The second circulator 20 sends the transmitted signal light to the external scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core 501. The second circulator 20 receives the first detection signal light component sent by the scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core 501, and sends the first detection signal light component to the phase tuner 30; The phase modulator 30 receives the first detection signal optical component and sends the first detection signal optical component to the coupler 40; The coupler 40 is connected to the scanning unit through a plurality of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502, and receives the second detection signal light component sent by the scanning unit through one of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502; The coupler 40 combines the first and second detection signal light components into a detection signal light using optical fibers, and sends the detection signal light to an external post-processing unit through the first circulator 10.

[0016] The above refers to the insertion-type lidar assembly including a first circulator 10, a second circulator 20, a phase modulator 30, a coupler 40, and a multi-aperture fiber 50. The first circulator 10 is connected to the second circulator 20. One side of the second circulator 20 is connected to an external scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core 501 of the multi-aperture fiber 50, and the other side of the second circulator 20 is connected to the phase modulator 30. The phase modulator 30 is also connected to the coupler 40, and the coupler 40 is connected to the external scanning unit through the multi-aperture fiber surrounding the single-mode fiber core 502.

[0017] Therefore, the first circulator 10 receives the transmitted signal light (i.e., the transmitted light) sent by the external transmitting unit, and the first circulator 10 sends the transmitted signal light to the second circulator 20. The second circulator 20 sends the transmitted signal light to the external scanning unit. After the scanning unit sends out the transmitted signal light, it receives the feedback detection light fed back by the detection target.

[0018] Due to the time difference, the feedback probe light will deviate in position, with part of it falling onto the position of the surrounding single-mode fiber core 502 at the output port of the multi-aperture fiber 50 (it may fall near a certain surrounding single-mode fiber core 502, or it may fall between the central fiber core and one or two surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502, or it may fall between two adjacent surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502), forming the second probe signal light component; the other part falls onto the position of the central single-mode fiber core 501, forming the first probe signal light component. Therefore, by setting up the multi-aperture fiber, the feedback probe light can be received completely.

[0019] The first detection signal light component returns to the coupler 40 after passing through the second circulator 20 and phase modulator 30, while the second detection signal light component returns directly to the coupler 40.

[0020] Coupler 40 combines the first and second probe signal light components with different positional deviations into an optical fiber bundle and returns it to the first circulator 10.

[0021] The phase modulator 30 is used to adjust the signal phase of the first probe signal light component to achieve complete synchronization with the signal of the second probe signal light component. This avoids signal jitter or even signal misalignment when the probe signal light is combined.

[0022] After complete synchronization, the first and second probe signal light components can achieve perfect beam combining in the coupler 40 to generate probe signal light, which is then sent to the first circulator 10 and then to the external post-processing unit.

[0023] The first and second probe signal light components are synchronized in phase in the coupler 40 through the phase modulator 30, thereby avoiding problems such as signal jitter or even signal misalignment in the probe signal light after beam combining, and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0024] It is worth further explaining that the manufacturing process of the multi-aperture fiber 50 can be the traditional fiber bundling, that is, manually inserting multiple fibers into a customized sleeve at a preset position. The advantages of this process are low cost, flexible layout and convenient docking with other fiber components, but the manufacturing efficiency is relatively low. Alternatively, it can be manufactured by drawing fibers using a customized fiber preform with multiple fiber cores inside. The advantage of this process is high manufacturing efficiency.

[0025] Since the emitted light from the external transmitting unit ultimately exits at the single-mode fiber core 501 in the center of the multi-aperture fiber 50, it is perfectly compatible with the mechanical units in existing radar systems; the cross-section of the multi-aperture fiber 50 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it contains multiple single-mode fiber cores and is distributed around the central single-mode fiber core 501.

[0026] In another specific embodiment, the second circulator 20 can be connected to the central single-mode fiber core 501 via a single-mode fiber.

[0027] Furthermore, the number of input single-mode fiber ports of the coupler 40 is equal to the sum of the number of the central single-mode fiber core 501 and the number of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502.

[0028] As described above, the single-mode fiber core 502 of the multi-aperture fiber 50 is connected to multiple input single-mode fiber ports of the coupler 40. The remaining input single-mode fiber port of the coupler 40 is connected to the output port of the phase tuner 30 via a single-mode fiber, and the single output fiber port of the coupler 40 is connected to the lower port of the first circulator 10.

[0029] Furthermore, the coupler 40 further includes a plurality of input single-mode optical fibers, one end of each input single-mode optical fiber being connected to a corresponding surrounding single-mode fiber core 502, and each input single-mode optical fiber and the surrounding single-mode fiber core 502 connected thereto forming a surrounding fiber core group, wherein the lengths of the plurality of surrounding fiber core groups are equal. The other end of each of the input single-mode optical fibers is connected to a corresponding input single-mode optical fiber port.

[0030] As mentioned above, multiple sets of equally long surrounding fiber cores can achieve synchronization between the second detection signal light components.

[0031] In one specific embodiment, the lengths of the plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502 are equal, and the lengths of the plurality of input single-mode optical fibers are also equal. For example, the lengths of the plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502 are all 1 cm, and the lengths of the plurality of input single-mode optical fibers are all 0.5 cm, so as to achieve a signal delay time difference between the plurality of surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502 that is less than one-tenth of the mechanical tuning step time.

[0032] Furthermore, the second circulator 20 is connected to the phase tuner 30, the phase tuner 30 is connected to the coupler 40, and the coupler 40 is connected to the first circulator 10 via single-mode optical fiber.

[0033] Furthermore, the phase modulator 30 is also used to synchronize the phase of the first detection signal optical component and the second detection signal optical component.

[0034] As described above, the phase modulator 30 adjusts the phase of the first detection signal light component so that the first detection signal light component and the second detection signal light component are synchronized in phase in the coupler 40 and combined in the coupler 40 to form the detection signal light.

[0035] It is worth further explaining that by optimizing the geometric layout of the cross-sections of the central single-mode fiber core 501 and the surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502 within the multi-aperture fiber 50, the reception effect of the feedback probe light can be further improved. Furthermore, the fiber core layout and spacing within the multi-aperture fiber 50 can be specifically optimized according to the design requirements of different radar systems to improve the overall ranging performance of random distance targets in actual operation. In a specific embodiment, the spacing between the central single-mode fiber core 501 and the multiple surrounding single-mode fiber cores 502 is equal.

[0036] Example 2 A type of lidar, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes any of the plug-in lidar transceiver components 100 in Embodiment 1, and also includes the transmitting unit 201, the third circulator 202, the scanning unit 203 and the post-processing unit 204. The transmitting unit 201 is connected to the third circulator 202, the third circulator 202 is connected to the scanning unit 203 through the lidar transceiver component 100, and the third circulator 202 is connected to the post-processing unit 204. The transmitting unit 201 sends the transmitted signal light to the third circulator 202; The third circulator 202 receives the transmitted signal light and transmits it to the scanning unit 203 through the plug-in lidar transceiver assembly 100. The third circulator 202 receives the detection signal light fed back by the scanning unit 203 and combined by the insert-type lidar transceiver assembly 100, and sends the detection signal light to the post-processing unit 204 for data processing.

[0037] The above refers to the transmitting unit 201 sending transmitted light, i.e., transmitted signal light, to the third circulator 202. The third circulator 202 sends the transmitted signal light to the scanning unit 203 via the insert-type lidar method component 100. The scanning unit 203 detects the target and receives the feedback detection light, and processes the feedback detection light via the insert-type lidar fiber optic component 100 to form a detection signal light. The detection signal light is sent back to the third circulator 202 by the insert-type fiber optic component, and then forwarded by the third circulator 202 to the post-processing unit 204 for data processing.

[0038] The detection signal light in the transmission optical path of the first circulator 10 is synchronized and bundled by the insertion lidar fiber optic assembly 100, thus avoiding problems such as signal jitter or even signal misalignment, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and enhancing the detection capability of the lidar 200.

[0039] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0040] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plug-in lidar transceiver assembly, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a first circulator, a second circulator, a phase modulator, a coupler, and a multi-aperture optical fiber, wherein the multi-aperture optical fiber includes a central single-mode fiber core and multiple surrounding single-mode fiber cores surrounding the central single-mode fiber core. The first circulator receives the transmitted signal light sent by the external transmitting unit and sends the transmitted signal light to the second circulator. The second circulator sends the transmitted signal light to the external scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core. The second circulator receives the first detection signal light component sent by the scanning unit through the central single-mode fiber core, and sends the first detection signal light component to the phase tuner; The phase modulator receives the first detection signal optical component and sends the first detection signal optical component to the coupler; The coupler is connected to the scanning unit through a plurality of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores, and receives the second probe signal light component sent by the scanning unit through one or more of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores; The coupler combines the first and second detection signal light components into a single fiber bundle to form a detection signal light, and then transmits the detection signal light to an external post-processing unit via the first circulator.

2. The plug-in lidar transceiver assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of input single-mode fiber ports of the coupler is equal to the sum of the number of the central single-mode fiber core and the number of the surrounding single-mode fiber cores.

3. The plug-in lidar transceiver assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The coupler also includes multiple input single-mode optical fibers, one end of each input single-mode optical fiber is connected to a corresponding surrounding single-mode fiber core, and each input single-mode optical fiber and its corresponding surrounding single-mode fiber core form a surrounding fiber core group, and the multiple surrounding fiber core groups have the same length. The other end of each of the input single-mode optical fibers is connected to a corresponding input single-mode optical fiber port.

4. The plug-in lidar transceiver assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second circulator is connected to the phase tuner, the phase tuner is connected to the coupler, and the coupler is connected to the first circulator via single-mode optical fiber.

5. The plug-in lidar transceiver assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The phase modulator is also used to synchronize the phase of the first detection signal optical component and the second detection signal optical component.

6. A lidar, characterized in that, The lidar includes the insertable lidar transceiver assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and further includes the transmitting unit, the third circulator, the scanning unit and the post-processing unit. The transmitting unit is connected to the third circulator, the third circulator is connected to the scanning unit through the lidar transceiver assembly, and the third circulator is connected to the post-processing unit. The transmitting unit sends the transmitted signal light to the third circulator; The third circulator receives the transmitted signal light and transmits it to the scanning unit through the plug-in lidar transceiver assembly; The third circulator receives the detection signal light fed back by the scanning unit and combined by the insert-type lidar transceiver assembly, and sends the detection signal light to the post-processing unit for data processing.

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