Lidar system using metasurfaces

Abstract

The invention provides a laser radar system using a metasurface. A lidar system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first laser light source for irradiating a first laser; the second laser light source is used for irradiating second laser; a metasurface module for turning light irradiated from either the first laser light source or the second laser light source; and a controller for controlling a turning direction of light irradiated to the reflective surface of the metasurface module such that the first laser light irradiated from the first laser light source is reflected by the reflective surface of the metasurface module and scans a first angle range, and the second laser light irradiated from the second laser light source is reflected by the reflecting surface of the metasurface module and scans a second angle range different from the first angle range.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0021085, filed on February 14, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a lidar system, and more particularly, to a lidar system utilizing a metasurface. Background Art

[0004] Tunable optical metasurface modules can be used in beamforming, including three-dimensional beam shaping, two-dimensional beam steering, and one-dimensional beam steering. Typically, a metasurface module includes multiple optical structures that can operate within the operating surface in conjunction with an adjustable dielectric material to reflect, refract, adjust, defocus, focus, converge, or scatter optical radiation.

[0005] As an example of a tunable optical metasurface module, as shown in FIG1 of U.S. Patent No. 11,567,390, a long rail array (e.g., a resonator) is arranged parallel to each other relative to an optically reflective metal layer or an optical reflector such as a Bragg reflector. The long rail array of the optical metasurface module as described above can be formed of metal, doped semiconductor material, and / or dielectric material, and can be configured to have a spacing between elements that is less than or equal to the wavelength.

[0006] Examples of suitable metals that can be used as optical reflectors and optical structures in the metasurface module include, but are not limited to, copper, aluminum, gold, silver, platinum, titanium, and chromium. In embodiments where the long rail array is made of copper, the long copper rails can be formed using, for example, a copper damascene manufacturing process. Examples of metasurface module manufacturing processes such as those described above are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 10,698,522.

[0007] In the lidar system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,567,390, as a lidar transmitter, it includes a metasurface module, which can selectively manipulate the optical radiation source to multiple steering angles. In particular, it includes a tunable prism, thereby deflecting the optical radiation generated by the optical radiation source so as to be incident on the metasurface module. In this case, the controller can individually address and selectively activate each VCSEL or group of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), a column of VCSELs, a column of VCSELs, or a subset of VCSELs.

[0008] However, in the laser radar system described above, distortion of the light output according to the steering angle of the metasurface module occurs. As described above, the output light distorted into a curve is difficult to be detected by the receiving sensors arranged in a row. In the laser radar system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,567,390, in order to make the different distortions symmetrical, a prism is used, which increases the cost and size. At this time, in the laser radar system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,567,390, in order to compensate for the output light distorted into a curve that still exists even when a prism is used, distortion is intentionally generated in the lens of the receiving part, thereby compensating for the distortion of the transmitting part.

[0009] As mentioned above, LiDAR systems using prisms face the problem of increased size and cost in order to eliminate distortion in the output light. Furthermore, intentionally inducing distortion in the receiving lens to compensate for the distortion that still occurs even with the use of prisms complicates the structure and increases costs. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a lidar system using a metasurface.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser radar system that is compact in size and can reduce manufacturing costs by not using a prism.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lidar system utilizing a metasurface that is configured to eliminate or minimize distortion of output light.

[0014] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above objects, and other objects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains through the following description.

[0015] Means used to solve problems

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a laser radar system utilizing a metasurface is provided, comprising: a first laser light source for irradiating a first laser; a second laser light source for irradiating a second laser; a metasurface module for steering light irradiated from any one of the first laser light source and the second laser light source; and a controller for controlling the steering direction of light irradiated onto a reflective surface of the metasurface module, wherein the first laser irradiated from the first laser light source is reflected by the reflective surface of the metasurface module and is used to scan a first angular range, and the second laser irradiated from the second laser light source is reflected by the reflective surface of the metasurface module and is used to scan a second angular range different from the first angular range.

[0017] At this time, the first laser light source and the second laser light source may be arranged on opposite sides of the metasurface module.

[0018] At this time, the first laser light source, the metasurface module and the second laser light source can be configured in a row.

[0019] In this case, a first beam splitter and a second beam splitter for polarizing the light emitted from the first laser light source and the second laser light source, respectively, may be further included.

[0020] At this time, the first plane including the reflective surface of the metasurface module and the second plane perpendicular to the irradiation direction of the first laser light source and the second laser light source are arranged parallel to each other, and a light reflecting component can be arranged in front of the first laser light source and the second laser light source, and the light reflecting component is used to reflect the first laser and the second laser to the reflective surface of the metasurface module.

[0021] At this time, the first plane containing the reflective surface of the metasurface module and the second plane perpendicular to the irradiation direction of the first laser light source are arranged to be inclined to each other, so that the first laser light source is arranged to face the reflective surface of the metasurface module, and the second laser light source can be arranged to be symmetrical with the first laser light source with the metasurface module as the center.

[0022] At this time, the metasurface module, the first laser light source and the second laser light source can be installed on a PCB (Printed circuit board) substrate.

[0023] At this time, for the first angle range, with the third plane perpendicular to the reflective surface of the metasurface module and perpendicular to the direction in which the first laser irradiates the reflective surface of the metasurface module as a reference, when the angle in the direction in which the first laser light source is incident on the reflective surface of the metasurface module is -90 degrees to 0 degrees with the reflective surface of the metasurface module as the center, the first angle range of the first laser scanning is between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0024] At this time, the second angle range of the second laser scanning may be a range between -90 degrees and 0 degrees.

[0025] At this time, the first area scanned by the first laser and the second area scanned by the second laser can be half of the entire scanning area respectively.

[0026] At this time, when the first laser needs to scan the first area, the controller can drive the first laser light source, and when the second laser needs to scan the second area, the controller can drive the second laser light source.

[0027] At this time, when scanning the 0-degree area where the first area and the second area overlap, the controller may selectively drive any one of the first laser light source and the second laser light source.

[0028] At this time, when the first area and the second area are scanned in sequence, the controller may drive the first laser light source and the second laser light source in sequence according to the steering order.

[0029] At this time, the controller may selectively drive the first laser light source or the second laser light source according to information of desired steering angles in the first area and the second area.

[0030] In this case, the system may further include: a third laser light source disposed on the first laser light source side and configured to emit a third laser beam; and a fourth laser light source disposed on the second laser light source side and configured to emit a fourth laser beam.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, a laser radar system utilizing a metasurface is provided, comprising: a first laser light source for irradiating a first laser; a second laser light source for irradiating a second laser; a first spectrometer and a second spectrometer for polarizing light irradiated from the first laser light source and the second laser light source, respectively; a metasurface module for deflecting light irradiated from any one of the first laser light source and the second laser light source; and a controller for controlling the deflection direction of light irradiated onto the reflective surface of the metasurface module, wherein the first laser light source and the second laser light source are arranged facing each other on opposite sides centered on the reflective surface of the metasurface module.

[0032] At this time, a PCB substrate may be included, and the metasurface module, the first laser light source and the second laser light source are installed on the PCB substrate.

[0033] At this time, a light reflecting member may be provided in front of the first laser light source and the second laser light source, the light reflecting member being configured to reflect the first laser light and the second laser light onto a reflective surface of the metasurface module.

[0034] At this time, the first laser irradiated from the first laser light source is reflected by the metasurface module and scans a first angle range area, and the second laser irradiated from the second laser light source is reflected by the metasurface module and scans a second angle range area different from the first angle range. The first angle range is a part of the entire range to be scanned, and the second angle range can be the remaining part of the range.

[0035] At this time, when the angle range of the entire range to be scanned is set to -α° to α°, the first area scanned by the first laser is the area from 0 to α° in the angle range, and the second area scanned by the second laser can be the area from -α° to 0 degrees in the angle range.

[0036] At this time, the controller may drive the first laser light source when the first laser scans the first area, and may drive the second laser light source when the second laser scans the second area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can more clearly understand the above contents and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention.

[0038] Figures 1A to 1C 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of a metasurface module used in a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a diagram showing the distortion of light that occurs according to the steering angle of the metasurface module.

[0040] Figure 3 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 is a diagram showing regions of light used in a lidar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the signal range of light used in a lidar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the area of light used in a laser radar system using a metasurface according to one embodiment of the present invention within a full angle range.

[0044] Figure 7 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for controlling driving of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 2 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method for controlling driving of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 9 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 10 This is a diagram of the structure of a lidar system using a metasurface according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Below, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. To clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not relevant to the description are omitted from the drawings, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar parts throughout the specification.

[0049] The words and terms used in the specification and claims are not limited to their ordinary meanings or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present invention on the principle that the terms can be defined by the inventor, so as to best describe the present invention.

[0050] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in this specification, and do not exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0051] Figures 1A to 1C 1 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of a metasurface module used in a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A and Figure 2Bis a diagram showing the distortion of light that occurs according to the steering angle of the metasurface module. Figure 3 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagram showing regions of light used in a lidar system utilizing a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the signal range of light used in a lidar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the area of light used in a laser radar system using a metasurface according to one embodiment of the present invention within a full angle range.

[0052] Reference Figures 1A to 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention, a laser radar system 1 using a metasurface may include a metasurface module 10, a first laser light source 22, a second laser light source 24, a PCB substrate 40, a controller 30, a first beamsplitter 52 and a second beamsplitter 54, and a first reflector 62 and a second reflector 64.

[0053] The metasurface module 10 provides a surface for steering light emitted from a light source. In one embodiment of the present invention, the metasurface module 10 may be mounted on a PCB substrate 40 .

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1A The tunable metasurface module 10 can be used as part of, for example, a solid-state light transmitter system, a receiver system, or a transceiver system.

[0055] In this case, the tunable metasurface module 10 includes a light-reflective substrate 12 and a dielectric layer 14. A plurality of long guide rails 16 are arranged on the light-reflective substrate 12 at intervals less than or equal to the wavelength and are electrically isolated by the dielectric layer 14.

[0056] exist Figure 1A In the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of long guide rails 16 can be referred to as “resonator guide rails”. This is because the spaces between the plurality of long guide rails (filled by liquid crystal or other tunable dielectric capable of adjusting the refractive index) resonate within the optical operating bandwidth of the tunable metasurface module 10.

[0057] In this case, other dielectric materials 18 with adjustable refractive index may be disposed between the long guide rails 16 .

[0058] Voltage differential bias patterns can be applied to the long rails 16 so that a controller or metasurface actuator modifies the reflection phase of the resonator (or, the transmission phase of the resonator).

[0059] Figure 1B FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal 19 between two metal rails 16 a and 16 b according to an example of a tunable metasurface module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] like Figure 1B As shown, when no voltage is applied to the voltage adjustment unit 17 , the liquid crystal 19 may be aligned along the first direction corresponding to the first refractive index.

[0061] like Figure 1C As shown in FIG. 1 , when a voltage of 5 volts is applied to a liquid crystal 19 between two metal rails 16 a and 16 b according to an example of a tunable metasurface module, the liquid crystal 19 between the two metal rails 16 a and 16 b can be aligned in a second direction that causes a second refractive index. The refractive index generated by the liquid crystal 19 can change depending on the magnitude of the applied voltage.

[0062] As described above, the structure of the metasurface module 10 and its operation method are well known. As an example, a metasurface module such as the "LM10 LCM module" manufactured and sold by LUMOTIVE can be used as the metasurface module 10 in a lidar system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] In this specification, detailed descriptions of the detailed structure of the metasurface module 10 other than those described above will be omitted. However, a person skilled in the art should readily understand that, as a metasurface module 10 having a reflective surface that can be used in the lidar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, not only the "LM10 LCM module" described above can be used. Rather, any known metasurface module 10, as long as it includes a liquid crystal layer whose refractive index can be adjusted by applying a specified voltage, can be applied to the lidar system of the present invention.

[0064] Refer again Figure 3 According to a laser radar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first laser light source 22 and a second laser light source 24 are configured on a PCB substrate 40 for mounting a metasurface module 10 .

[0065] At this time, refer to Figure 3 The first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 can be arranged on opposite sides of the metasurface module 10 as the center.

[0066] In addition, the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 may be configured to be spaced the same distance apart from the metasurface module 10. Furthermore, the centers of the first laser light source 22, the metasurface module 10, and the second laser light source 24 may be arranged in a row.

[0067] Therefore, the first plane I including the reflective surface of the metasurface module 10 and the second plane II perpendicular to the irradiation direction of the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 can be arranged parallel to each other. In this case, the plane III illuminated by the laser light source can be arranged perpendicular to the first plane I and perpendicular to the second plane II.

[0068] Therefore, when Figure 3 When viewed in the middle, the laser light L1 and the laser light L2 emitted from the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 are emitted toward the upper direction parallel to the direction faced by the reflective surface 11 of the metasurface module 10 .

[0069] At this time, in one embodiment of the present invention, in front of the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24, that is, Figure 3 A first beam splitter 52 and a second beam splitter 54 are provided above the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24, respectively. The first beam splitter 52 and the second beam splitter 54 are configured to polarize the light emitted from the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24, respectively.

[0070] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in front of the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24, that is, Figure 3 A first reflecting mirror 62 and a second reflecting mirror 64 are respectively arranged above the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 when viewed from the center.

[0071] The first and second reflecting mirrors 62 and 64 respectively change the paths of light so that the first and second laser lights L1 and L2 irradiated from the first and second laser light sources 22 and 24 are directed toward the reflective surface 11 of the metasurface module 10 .

[0072] Therefore, the first laser L1 and the second laser L2 irradiated from the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 pass through the first beam splitter 52 and the second beam splitter 54 and are reflected by the first reflector 62 and the second reflector 64 , and then irradiate the reflective surface 11 of the metasurface module 10 .

[0073] At this time, the first laser light L1 and the second laser light L2 emitted from the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 can be selected by the controller 30 according to the area to be scanned by the laser radar system, thereby selectively or continuously irradiating. The method of controlling the first laser light L1 and the second laser light L2 by the controller 30 of the laser radar system will be described later.

[0074] In a laser radar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2B 3 shows the range of the straight and curved emission scan lines 100 of the metasurface module 10 when no separate prism is provided in front of the metasurface module 10 .

[0075] like Figure 2B As shown, when the steering angle θ1 is a negative steering angle, the transmitted scan line 100 is a curve, which may be difficult to be detected by a LiDAR receiver or a linear array of sensors on other sensor arrays.

[0076] In contrast, when the steering angle θ1 is a positive steering angle, the emission scan line 100 of the metasurface module 10 is closer to a straight line.

[0077] According to a laser radar system 1 of one embodiment of the present invention, considering that the scanning line emitted within the positive steering angle range of the metasurface module 10 in the absence of a prism is closer to a straight line, the inventor of the present invention proposed a laser radar system having a structure in which laser light sources for irradiating laser light to the metasurface module 10 are arranged in pairs on both sides of the metasurface module 10.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when it is necessary to obtain the positive steering angle range of the metasurface module 10 (when Figure 5 When observing in the center, the range is based on the center of the reflective surface 11 of the metasurface module 10, and is located in the first area on the right side. When the emission scan line is obtained from the first laser light source 22 (when the Figure 5 When observed in the middle, the first laser L1 located on the left side of the metasurface module 10 is irradiated to scan the first angle range area α, thereby obtaining the emission scan line.

[0079] In addition, when it is necessary to obtain the negative steering angle range of the metasurface module 10 (when Figure 5 When observing in the center, the range is based on the center of the reflective surface 11 of the metasurface module 10, and is located in the second area on the left side. When the emission scan line is obtained from the second laser light source 24 (when Figure 5 When observed in the middle, the second laser L2 located on the right side of the metasurface module 10 is irradiated to scan the second angle range area β, thereby obtaining the emission scan line.

[0080] At this time, with respect to 0 degrees, the emission scan line can be acquired by using either the first laser light L1 or the second laser light L2 .

[0081] At this time, as an example, the field of view (FOV) covered by the metasurface module 10 can be in the range of 120 degrees. At this time, the first area can be area α in the range of 0 degrees to 60 degrees, and the second area can be area β in the range of -60 degrees to 0 degrees.

[0082] However, the ranges of the first and second regions described above may vary depending on the design. If the FOV is 60 degrees, the first laser light source 22 may scan from 0 degrees to 30 degrees, and the second laser light source 24 may scan from -30 degrees to 0 degrees.

[0083] As a prior art, in the case of a metasurface with prisms applied to a laser radar system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,567,390, as Figure 6A As shown, a straight line and a curved line emission scan line L3 are obtained, that is, the scan line L3 is a straight line at a turning angle of 0 degrees, and gradually forms a curve as the light radiation turns to any direction.

[0084] In the laser radar system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,567,390, as described above, in order to compensate for the distortion of the transmitted scan line that forms a curve as the light radiation direction moves away from 0 degrees, a receiving lens that additionally has barrel distortion is used to compensate the line into a straight line shape.

[0085] In contrast, according to the laser radar system 1 of one embodiment of the present invention, when it is necessary to obtain the emission scanning line for the first area, the emission scanning line can be obtained by the first laser L1 irradiated from the first laser light source 22; when it is necessary to obtain the emission scanning line for the second area, the emission scanning line can be obtained by the second laser L2 irradiated from the second laser light source 24.

[0086] Therefore, if Figure 6B As shown, emission scan lines that are generally close to linear can be obtained in the first region and the second region at positive and negative steering angles, respectively. In this case, the further away from 0 degrees, the larger the spacing between the scan lines may be, but the further away from 0 degrees, the more linear the scan lines become.

[0087] As in one embodiment of the present invention, when the scan line is close to a straight line, or when the FOV is small, only scan lines that are almost straight lines are generated, so that distortion compensation can be performed through a small amount of calibration.

[0088] Therefore, compared with the laser radar system disclosed in US Patent No. 11,567,390, the laser radar system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may not include components with a large volume, such as a prism.

[0089] In addition, according to the laser radar system 1 of one embodiment of the present invention, without using a receiving lens with barrel distortion, it is also possible to obtain an emission scanning line that is generally close to a straight line at positive steering angles and negative steering angles centered on the metasurface module 10.

[0090] Therefore, according to the laser radar system 1 of one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an emission scanning line that is formed as a straight line as a whole without using a receiving lens with a prism and barrel distortion, thereby reducing the entire volume of the laser radar system, and the structure is simple, which can also reduce the production cost.

[0091] Figure 7 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for controlling driving of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Reference Figure 7 As shown in Table 1 below, within the steering angle range of -60 degrees to 0 degrees, the controller 30 controls the driving of the second laser light source 24 , and within the steering angle range of 0 degrees to 60 degrees, the controller controls the driving of the first laser light source 22 .

[0093] At this time, when the sequence of the steering angles is from -60 degrees to 0 degrees and from 0 degrees to 60 degrees, the controller 30 may apply a trigger signal to sequentially drive the second laser light source 24 and the first laser light source 22 .

[0094] Table 1

[0095] angle light source -60° Laser 2 -50° Laser 2 -40° Laser 2 -30° Laser 2 -20° Laser 2 -10° Laser 2 0° Laser 1 or Laser 2 10° Laser 1 20° Laser 1 30° Laser 1 40° Laser 1 50° Laser 1 60° Laser 1

[0096] Figure 8 2 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method for controlling driving of a laser radar system using a metasurface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steering angle is not as follows Figure 7 The order shown is implemented as Figure 8 As shown, each time the negative area and the positive area change (for example, -30 degrees, 10 degrees, 40 degrees, -30 degrees, etc.), or when the steering angles to be irradiated are different, the controller 30 can selectively apply trigger signals to the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 covering the corresponding steering angle ranges according to the steering angle signal input from the signal for providing angle information.

[0098] At this time, the control method in which the controller 30 applies a trigger signal to the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 to make the steering angle of the metasurface module different can be implemented using a well-known control method. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification.

[0099] Figure 9 2 is a structural diagram of a laser radar system 1' using a metasurface according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Compared with the aforementioned laser radar system, a laser radar system 1' utilizing a metasurface according to another embodiment of the present invention includes four laser light sources, namely, a first laser light source 22, a second laser light source 24, a third laser light source 26 and a fourth laser light source 28.

[0101] At this time, if Figure 9 As shown, two of the first laser light source 22 , the second laser light source 24 , the third laser light source 26 and the fourth laser light source 28 can be respectively configured on the left and right sides of the metasurface module 10 .

[0102] In order to polarize and reflect the light irradiated from each of the first laser light source 22, the second laser light source 24, the third laser light source 26 and the fourth laser light source 28, a first beam splitter 52, a second beam splitter 54, a third beam splitter 56 and a fourth beam splitter 58 as well as a first reflector 62, a second reflector 64, a third reflector 66 and a fourth reflector 68 can be arranged in front of the first laser light source 22, the second laser light source 24, the third laser light source 26 and the fourth laser light source 28.

[0103] The configuration of the first laser light source 22, the second laser light source 24, and the third laser light source 26 and the fourth laser light source 28 can be modified in various ways based on the central axis of the metasurface module 10 according to the design. For example, the first laser light source 22, the second laser light source 24, the third laser light source 26, and the fourth laser light source 28 can be arranged in a row similar to the above embodiment, but they can also be arranged in a row according to the design. The configuration of the first reflector 62, the second reflector 64, the third reflector 66, and the fourth reflector 68 can be different depending on the configuration of the first laser light source 22, the second laser light source 24, the third laser light source 26, and the fourth laser light source 28.

[0104] As described above, when two or more laser light sources are provided on both sides of the metasurface module 10, the increased number of light sources allows the light sources to be alternately illuminated when the heat generation temperature is high, thereby reducing the heat generation temperature compared to the case of providing a single laser light source. Alternatively, the emission output can be increased by using two light sources located on the same side simultaneously.

[0105] Figure 101 is a structural diagram of a laser radar system 1" using a metasurface according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Reference Figure 10 In a laser radar system 1" using a metasurface according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a first laser light source 22 and a second laser light source 24 for irradiating laser light are provided at positions for providing reflective mirrors in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0107] At this time, in order to place the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 at the positions of the reflecting mirrors, a first frame 42 and a second frame 44 are provided.

[0108] In this case, the first frame 42 and the second frame 44 may be separate components or different parts of a single component.

[0109] As described above, as another embodiment of the present invention, by removing the reflector and positioning the first laser light source 22 and the second laser light source 24 opposite the metasurface module 10, the intensity of the light directed toward the metasurface module 10 can be increased. Furthermore, by reducing the size of the PCB substrate 40 on which the metasurface module 10 is mounted, the structure of the lidar system can be made more compact.

[0110] Therefore, the laser radar system 1 ″ according to another embodiment of the present invention can improve the design freedom of the laser radar system.

[0111] Based on the above configuration, the lidar system according to one embodiment of the present invention does not include components such as prisms. Instead, it uses two light sources to emit laser light toward the metasurface module, thereby utilizing only the signal from areas where the output light is not distorted. This reduces the overall size of the lidar system and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0112] According to a laser radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the overall size of the laser radar system can be reduced by installing a light source for generating light directed to a metasurface module on a PCB substrate for mounting the metasurface module.

[0113] In addition, the laser radar system according to an embodiment of the present invention can be controlled to selectively emit multiple beams of light toward the metasurface.

[0114] It should be understood that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the present invention described in the detailed description of the present invention or the claims.

[0115] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth in the specification. Those skilled in the art will understand the spirit of the present invention and will be able to easily propose other embodiments within the same spirit by adding, changing, deleting or adding components, but this will also be included in the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A laser radar system using a metasurface, characterized in that: include: A first laser light source irradiates a first laser, A second laser light source irradiates a second laser, a metasurface module for redirecting light emitted from any one of the first laser light source and the second laser light source, and a controller, configured to control a steering direction of light directed toward the reflective surface of the metasurface module; The first laser light irradiated from the first laser light source is reflected by the reflective surface of the metasurface module and scans a first angle range. The second laser light irradiated from the second laser light source is reflected by the reflective surface of the metasurface module and scans a second angular range different from the first angular range.

2. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 1, characterized in that The first laser light source and the second laser light source are arranged on opposite sides of the metasurface module.

3. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 2, characterized in that The first laser light source, the metasurface module and the second laser light source are arranged in a row.

4. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 2, characterized in that The invention further includes a first beam splitter and a second beam splitter for polarizing the light emitted from the first laser light source and the second laser light source, respectively.

5. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 2, wherein: The first plane and the second plane are arranged parallel to each other, the first plane includes the reflective surface of the metasurface module, and the second plane is perpendicular to the irradiation directions of the first laser light source and the second laser light source. A light reflecting member is provided in front of the first laser light source and the second laser light source, and is used to reflect the first laser light and the second laser light onto a reflective surface of the metasurface module.

6. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 2, characterized in that The first plane and the second plane are tilted relative to each other so that the first laser light source faces the reflective surface of the metasurface module, the first plane includes the reflective surface of the metasurface module, and the second plane is perpendicular to the irradiation direction of the first laser light source. The second laser light source is configured to be symmetrical with the first laser light source with the metasurface module as the center.

7. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 1, characterized in that The metasurface module, the first laser light source, and the second laser light source are mounted on a printed circuit board substrate.

8. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 1, wherein: For the first angle range, with a third plane perpendicular to the reflective surface of the metasurface module and perpendicular to the direction in which the first laser is irradiated onto the reflective surface of the metasurface module as a reference, when the angle in the direction in which the first laser light source is incident on the reflective surface of the metasurface module is -90 degrees to 0 degrees with the reflective surface of the metasurface module as the center, the first angle range of the first laser scanning is a range between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

9. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second angle range of the second laser scanning is between -90 degrees and 0 degrees.

10. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 1, wherein: The first area scanned by the first laser and the second area scanned by the second laser are respectively half of the entire scanning area.

11. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 10, wherein: When the first laser needs to scan the first area, the controller drives the first laser light source. When the second laser needs to scan the second area, the controller drives the second laser light source.

12. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 10, wherein: When scanning a 0-degree area where the first area and the second area overlap, the controller selectively drives any one of the first laser light source and the second laser light source.

13. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 10, wherein: When turning to the first area and the second area in sequence, the controller drives the first laser light source and the second laser light source in sequence according to the turning order.

14. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 10, wherein: The controller selectively drives the first laser light source or the second laser light source according to information of desired steering angles in the first area and the second area.

15. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: A third laser light source is arranged on the side of the first laser light source and emits a third laser; as well as The fourth laser light source is arranged on the side of the second laser light source and emits a fourth laser.

16. A laser radar system using a metasurface, characterized in that: include: A first laser light source irradiates a first laser, A second laser light source irradiates a second laser, The first beam splitter and the second beam splitter polarize the light emitted from the first laser light source and the second laser light source, respectively. a metasurface module for redirecting light emitted from any one of the first laser light source and the second laser light source, and a controller, configured to control a steering direction of light directed toward the reflective surface of the metasurface module; The first laser light source and the second laser light source are arranged facing each other on opposite sides centered on the reflective surface of the metasurface module.

17. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 16, wherein: The metasurface module includes a printed circuit board substrate, and the first laser light source and the second laser light source are mounted on the printed circuit board substrate.

18. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 16, wherein: A light reflecting member is arranged in front of the first laser light source and the second laser light source, and is used to reflect the first laser light and the second laser light onto a reflective surface of the metasurface module.

19. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 16, wherein: The first laser light emitted from the first laser light source is reflected by the metasurface module and scans a first angle range. The second laser light emitted from the second laser light source is reflected by the metasurface module and scans a second angular range different from the first angular range. The first angle range is a part of the entire range to be scanned, and the second angle range is the remaining range.

20. The laser radar system using a metasurface according to claim 19, wherein: When the entire angle range to be scanned is set to -α° to α°, the first area scanned by the first laser is the area from 0 to α° in the angle range, and the second area scanned by the second laser is the area from -α° to 0 degrees in the angle range.

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