Underwater laser radar and communication composite integrated device
By using a shared optical path design and electronic switch control, the problems of signal crosstalk and slow response speed in underwater detection and communication systems have been solved, resulting in a lightweight and low-cost integrated underwater lidar and communication device.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHENZHEN HUACHUANGXINGUANG TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing underwater detection and communication systems employ a discrete design, which suffers from problems such as signal crosstalk, slow response speed, structural redundancy, increased size and power consumption, and high procurement and maintenance costs.
It adopts a shared optical path design and combines electronic switches to achieve mode switching, reducing optical components. The main controller controls the scanning device and photoelectric conversion to achieve ultra-fast mode switching and reduce hardware costs.
Significantly reduces equipment weight and hardware costs, improves dynamic performance, adapts to high-speed mobile platforms, simplifies maintenance, enhances the cost-effectiveness of equipment, and leverages the cost-effectiveness advantages of underwater equipment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224417030U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of radar communication technology, and in particular to an integrated underwater lidar and communication device. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, underwater detection and communication mainly employ discrete systems. Both lidar and underwater laser communication require their own optical transceiver links. Some existing technologies attempt to simply superimpose the two systems, but due to optical path conflicts, frequent switching of operating modes is necessary, resulting in signal crosstalk and slow response speed. This discrete design has significant drawbacks: structural redundancy, with two independent optical systems doubling the size and power consumption; poor dynamic performance, large mechanical switching delays, difficulty in adapting to high-speed mobile AUV platforms, and high procurement and maintenance costs, severely restricting the operational efficiency and economy of underwater equipment. Utility Model Content
[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide an integrated underwater lidar and communication device that shares the optical path, reduces optical components, lowers equipment weight, achieves mode switching via electronic switches, reduces latency, and significantly reduces costs.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes an integrated underwater lidar and communication device, comprising:
[0005] Main controller;
[0006] A scanning device for scanning a target object;
[0007] The transmission link includes a DAC, an analog electronic switch, a laser, and a transmitting lens connected in sequence. The DAC and the analog electronic switch are both electrically connected to the main controller, which can control the opening and closing of the analog electronic switch. The transmitting lens is connected to the scanning device.
[0008] The receiving link includes a receiving lens, a photodetector, and an ADC connected in sequence. The receiving lens is connected to the scanning device, and the ADC is connected to the main controller.
[0009] In one possible implementation, the transmit link is further provided with a power amplifier between the DAC and the analog electronic switch; the receive link is further provided with an amplifier between the photodetector and the ADC.
[0010] In one possible implementation, the transmission link is provided with a motor zoom device between the transmitting lens and the laser, and the motor zoom device is electrically connected to the main controller.
[0011] In one possible implementation, the receiving link further includes a filter between the receiving lens and the photodetector.
[0012] In one possible implementation, the scanning device is further connected to a rotation controller, and the rotation controller is electrically connected to the main controller.
[0013] This utility model's technical solution significantly reduces optical components and lowers equipment weight by adopting a shared optical path design; it uses an electronic switch to control a dual-mode light source, enabling rapid mode switching and perfectly adapting to dynamic underwater scenarios such as AUV mapping and pipeline inspection; compared to traditional discrete systems, hardware costs are greatly reduced, and the simplified structure makes maintenance convenient, combining high performance and cost-effectiveness. Attached Figure Description
[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the radar mode structure of an embodiment of the underwater lidar and communication integrated device of this utility model;
[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the communication mode of an embodiment of the underwater lidar and communication integrated device of this utility model.
[0017] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.
[0019] Reference Figures 1 to 2This utility model proposes an integrated underwater lidar and communication device, including a main controller, a scanning device, a transmission link, and a receiving link. The scanning device is used to scan targets. The transmission link includes a DAC, an analog electronic switch, a laser, and a transmitting lens connected in sequence. The DAC and the analog electronic switch are both electrically connected to the main controller, which can control the opening and closing of the analog electronic switch. The transmitting lens is connected to the scanning device. The receiving link includes a receiving lens, a photodetector, and an ADC connected in sequence. The receiving lens is connected to the scanning device, and the ADC is connected to the main controller.
[0020] Understandably, the main controller is responsible for controlling the entire system, including controlling the opening and closing of the analog electronic switches, switching between operating modes (radar mode and communication mode); controlling the DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to adjust the laser's drive signal; receiving data from the ADC (analog-to-digital converter) and processing the signal; and controlling the movement of the scanning device to achieve target search or communication alignment. In radar mode, the scanning device controls the laser beam to scan the target area; in communication mode, it maintains alignment with the communication target, ensuring optical path stability, and mechanically links the transmitting and receiving lenses to ensure coaxiality of the light and receiving paths.
[0021] The transmission link consists of at least the following components: a DAC (Digital Converter), an analog electronic switch, a laser, and a transmitting lens. The DAC converts the digital control signals from the main controller into analog voltages to drive the laser. In radar mode, it outputs a high voltage to drive the pulsed laser; in communication mode, it outputs a low voltage to drive the continuous wave laser. The analog electronic switch, controlled by the main controller, determines whether the laser signal passes through a power amplifier. When off, the laser signal enters the laser directly for high-power detection; when on, the laser signal power is reduced for communication modulation. The laser is a blue / green laser used to emit light at blue-green wavelengths, which has good underwater penetration. The transmitting lens focuses the laser beam, improving detection range or communication alignment accuracy. It works in conjunction with the scanning device to adjust the beam direction.
[0022] The receiving link consists of at least a receiving lens, a photodetector, and an ADC. The receiving lens collects reflected light or communication optical signals from the target, and the photodetector converts the optical signals into electrical signals. The ADC converts the analog signals from the photodetector into digital signals for processing by the main controller.
[0023] In radar mode, the analog electronic switch is off, the laser signal is not modulated, the DAC outputs a high voltage to drive the laser to emit short pulses of high-power laser light, the scanning device controls the laser beam to scan and illuminate the target area, the receiving lens collects the echo, the photodetector detects the signal, and the ADC samples the signal to calculate parameters such as flight time and echo intensity.
[0024] In communication mode, the analog electronic switch is turned on, the DAC outputs a low voltage, driving the laser to emit continuously modulated laser light, the scanning device keeps aligned with the communication target, the receiving lens collects the communication optical signal, the photodetector demodulates the data, and the ADC samples the data and transmits it to the main controller to complete the data decoding.
[0025] Reference Figures 1 to 2 In one embodiment of this utility model, a power amplifier is further provided between the DAC and the analog electronic switch in the transmitting link; an amplifier is further provided between the photodetector and the ADC in the receiving link.
[0026] Understandably, the power amplifier is located between the DAC and the analog electronic switch. In radar mode, the control signal voltage output by the DAC is relatively low and needs to be boosted by the power amplifier to a level sufficient to drive the laser to emit high-power pulses for long-range detection, thereby increasing the radar detection range.
[0027] The amplifier is located between the photodetector and the ADC. In radar mode, due to scattering and absorption, the underwater echo signal is extremely weak, and the electrical signal output by the photodetector may only be in the microvolt range. The amplifier amplifies the signal to a range that the ADC can sample, improving the signal-to-noise ratio. In communication mode, the communication optical signal strength is low. The amplifier is used to recover the signal amplitude, ensuring that the ADC can accurately demodulate the data and solving the problem of severe underwater optical signal attenuation.
[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 2 In one embodiment of this utility model, a motor zoom device is provided between the transmitting lens and the laser in the transmitting link, and the motor zoom device is electrically connected to the main controller.
[0029] Understandably, the motor zoom device is located between the laser and the emitting lens. During the laser beam forming stage in the optical path, it is used to dynamically adjust the beam divergence angle to adapt to the needs of different working modes: in radar mode, it focuses the beam to improve the detection distance and resolution; in communication mode, it slightly defocuses to expand the divergence angle, increase the communication coverage, and reduce the alignment accuracy requirements.
[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 2 In one embodiment of this utility model, a filter is also provided between the receiving lens and the photodetector in the receiving link.
[0031] Understandably, the filter is located between the receiving lens and the photodetector in the optical path, and is fixed by an optical barrel or slot. It can suppress background noise, filter out underwater ambient light such as sunlight, bioluminescence, and stray laser light, allowing only the target laser wavelength to pass through; it can also improve the signal-to-noise ratio, avoid saturating the photodetector with non-signal light, and ensure the detection sensitivity of weak echoes and communication signals.
[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 2In one embodiment of this utility model, the scanning device is further connected to a rotation controller, and the rotation controller is electrically connected to the main controller.
[0033] Understandably, the rotation controller is electrically connected to the main controller and directly drives the scanning device to rotate. In radar mode, it actively controls the rotation of the scanning device to achieve wide-range target detection and cover a designated area; in communication mode, it dynamically follows the target, locks onto the communication object, maintains optical path alignment, and ensures stable data transmission.
[0034] This utility model's technical solution significantly reduces optical components and lowers equipment weight by adopting a shared optical path design; it uses an electronic switch to control a dual-mode light source, enabling rapid mode switching and perfectly adapting to dynamic underwater scenarios such as AUV mapping and pipeline inspection; compared to traditional discrete systems, hardware costs are greatly reduced, and the simplified structure makes maintenance convenient, combining high performance and cost-effectiveness.
[0035] In the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0036] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. An integrated underwater lidar and communication device, characterized in that, include: Main controller; A scanning device for scanning a target object; The transmission link includes a DAC, an analog electronic switch, a laser, and a transmitting lens connected in sequence. The DAC and the analog electronic switch are both electrically connected to the main controller, which can control the opening and closing of the analog electronic switch. The transmitting lens is connected to the scanning device. The receiving link includes a receiving lens, a photodetector, and an ADC connected in sequence. The receiving lens is connected to the scanning device, and the ADC is connected to the main controller.
2. The underwater lidar and communication integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmit link is further provided with a power amplifier between the DAC and the analog electronic switch; the receive link is further provided with an amplifier between the photodetector and the ADC.
3. The underwater lidar and communication integrated device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission link is provided with a motor zoom device between the transmitting lens and the laser, and the motor zoom device is electrically connected to the main controller.
4. The underwater lidar and communication integrated device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The receiving link also includes a filter between the receiving lens and the photodetector.
5. The underwater lidar and communication integrated device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The scanning device is also connected to a rotation controller, and the rotation controller is electrically connected to the main controller.