Vehicle detection device having a lidar system and radar system arranged in an interleaved manner on a semiconductor chip, and vehicle

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a detection device (1) for a vehicle (2), having a semiconductor chip (4) on which a lidar system (5) and a radar system (6) are integrated, wherein a plurality of lidar units (7) of the lidar system (5) and a plurality of radar units (8) of the radar system (6) are arranged as a matrix and are formed on the semiconductor chip (4). A further aspect relates to a vehicle (2).

Description

[0001] 2024PF00441

[0002] 1

[0003] Vehicle detection device with lidar system and radar system nested on a semiconductor chip, as well as vehicle

[0004] One aspect of the invention relates to a detection device for a vehicle. The detection device comprises a semiconductor chip on which a lidar system and a radar system are formed, and in particular integrated. Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with such a detection device.

[0005] It is well known that modern vehicles are equipped with both a lidar system and a radar system for environmental perception. These two different technologies are advantageous for capturing and generating precise and highly detailed information about the vehicle's surroundings. Due to the differing characteristics of lidar and radar systems, these two systems are usually used in parallel. This allows them to compensate for the weaknesses of one system with the strengths of the other, particularly in detection accuracy, and also enables redundancy to thoroughly verify and validate the information obtained.

[0006] It is also known that a lidar system is installed separately and independently from a radar system on the vehicle. However, this necessitates complex calibration procedures to ensure that the respective areas detected are consistent.

[0007] It is also known to integrate a lidar system and a radar system onto a single semiconductor chip. This is known, for example, from US 2022 / 0239383 and US 2022 / 0113398.

[0008] With such integrated solutions, a compact design can be achieved, and the installation of individual separate systems is no longer necessary.

[0009] However, the measurement accuracy of these known integrated solutions is still limited. 2024PF00441

[0010] 2

[0011] The object of the following invention is to create a detection device in which a lidar system and a radar system are integrated on a semiconductor chip and the functionality is improved.

[0012] This task is solved by a detection device and a vehicle according to the independent claims.

[0013] One aspect of the invention relates to a detection device for a vehicle. The detection device comprises a semiconductor chip on which a lidar system and a radar system are formed, in particular integrated.

[0014] It is designed that several lidar units of the lidar system and several radar units of the radar system are arranged in a matrix, or matrix-like configuration, and are accordingly implemented on the semiconductor chip. A matrix is, in particular, a table-like pattern. This highly specific arrangement structure improves the functionality of the detection device. It also ensures better functional compatibility between the lidar units and the radar units, and thus between the lidar system and the radar system. In particular, this reduces the need for adjustments, including calibration. A matrix arrangement, which establishes a very strict and ordered positioning of the units both individually and in relation to each other, combines these lidar units and radar units in a highly advantageous manner, resulting in better agreement between the measured ranges of the different systems.This strictly ordered arrangement structure allows for a very compact design and yet a functionally improved detection principle.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lidar units and the radar units are nested relative to each other on the semiconductor chip as a matrix. This is a very advantageous embodiment that particularly fulfills the aforementioned advantages. A nested arrangement is, in particular, one in which the lidar units and the radar units are positionally mixed within the matrix structure. This means, in particular, that the lidar units are not all concentrated in one local area and the radar units are not concentrated in another, thus forming two zones in the matrix, one containing only lidar units and the other only radar units. Rather, a nested arrangement in this respect means that lidar units and radar units are distributed within the matrix. Thus, lidar units and radar units alternate across the matrix.

[0016] 3. Distributed, in particular such a changing distribution is formed in a specific structure.

[0017] In one embodiment, the lidar units and radar units are arranged alternately in a specific pattern across multiple rows and / or columns of the matrix. This means that, viewed within a single row of the matrix, lidar units and radar units are arranged alternately. A similar arrangement can be provided in at least one column of the matrix, either additionally or instead. Such a structured pattern of alternating lidar and radar units significantly enhances the aforementioned advantages. Particularly precise positions and distances can be generated, thereby increasing the measurement accuracy of the system, both individually and in combination, and reducing the need for adjustments.

[0018] In one embodiment, this nesting of the lidar and radar units results in an inherent spatial overlap of the individual channels and thus of the detection ranges of the lidar and radar systems, and consequently also of the lidar and radar units. This leads to the aforementioned advantages to a significant degree, thereby reducing the calibration effort and / or ensuring particularly favorable agreement between the measured ranges. The functionality of the detection device, especially with regard to measurement accuracy, is thus considerably enhanced.

[0019] In one embodiment, the distance between two consecutive radar units in the matrix, particularly in at least one matrix column and / or in at least one matrix row, is greater than the distance between two consecutive lidar units. Specifically, in this embodiment, a lidar unit or a radar unit is configured in a matrix column, and along this matrix column, one or more units of the other type are configured, followed by a unit of the first type, which is then referred to as the immediately following unit of this first type. A distance between two consecutive radar units therefore does not mean that these units are directly adjacent to one another in position along the matrix column, but rather that at least one lidar unit is configured between them.The same applies to the consideration within a single matrix row. Such a spacing specification results in a particularly advantageous arrangement within the matrix. This is 2024PF00441.

[0020] 4 is also advantageously possible because the radar system usually operates at a longer wavelength than the lidar system.

[0021] Preferably, the spacing between the radar units, and in particular between the two consecutive radar units described above, is a multiple of the spacing between the lidar units. For the lidar units, a spacing can be considered where the lidar units in a matrix row or in a matrix column are actually directly consecutive, and thus the matrix column positions and the matrix row positions are indeed two directly consecutive positions.

[0022] In one embodiment, the multiple is a multiple, particularly an integer multiple, of the transmitting wavelength. This refers specifically to the transmitting wavelength of the radar units, especially the radar system.

[0023] In this regard, the distance can be, for example, 1 / 2 or 1 / 4 etc. of the transmitting wavelength.

[0024] In one embodiment, the number of radar units and the number of lidar units on the semiconductor chip differ. In particular, the number of lidar units is larger, especially by a multiple, than the number of radar units.

[0025] In one embodiment, the area of ​​a radar unit on the semiconductor chip is larger, in particular by an integer multiple, than the area of ​​a lidar unit on the semiconductor chip.

[0026] The nested arrangement of lidar and radar units, and the specific ratio between their surface areas, result in a particularly advantageous overlap of the measurement fields and detection ranges of the charging system and the radar system, respectively, thus ensuring automatic alignment. In particular, this eliminates the need for a calibration step for both systems after the detection device has been installed on the vehicle. 2024PF00441

[0027] 5

[0028] In one embodiment, the surface area of ​​a radar unit is four times that of a lidar unit. This size ratio also supports the advantages mentioned above.

[0029] In one embodiment, at least some lidar units and at least some radar units are configured in the matrix such that their transmit and / or receive channels overlap, at least partially, as explained above. In particular, the radar system has multiple antennas, especially phased antennas, for transmitting and / or receiving. The radar system may also include mixing units and / or processing units. In particular, the radar units are at least partially formed by these specific components of the radar system.

[0030] In one embodiment, the lidar system comprises multiple laser emitters and / or multiple waveguides and / or multiple beam splitters and / or multiple diffraction gratings and / or multiple phase shifters and / or multiple amplitude gratings. These specific components can also be formed by the lidar units.

[0031] It is also possible that the lidar system and the radar system share signal processing components. These can, for example, be integrated into the same units. If frequency-modulated measurement methods are used for both the lidar and radar systems, then their signal processing is very similar, making it possible to share signal processing components.

[0032] The semiconductor chip can be a single chip. For example, it can be a SoC (System on Chip) and consist of a single silicon chip.

[0033] The semiconductor chip can also be, for example, a chiplet system. A chiplet system can, for instance, comprise several individual chiplets. These can be individual silicon chips. They can be placed close together on a substrate, which can also be called an interposer, and connected to another chip. One chiplet can then contain the radar system and the other chiplet the lidar system. The chiplets can be arranged in a matrix, particularly on the substrate. 2024PF00441

[0034] 6

[0035] Another aspect of the invention relates to a detection device for a vehicle. The detection device comprises a semiconductor chip on which a lidar system and a radar system are formed, and in particular integrated. The semiconductor chip has several, in particular separate, chiplets. These can be arranged in a matrix form, in particular on a substrate.

[0036] It is provided that several lidar units of the lidar system are formed by at least one first chiplet, in particular several first chiplets. It is provided that several radar units of the radar system are formed by at least one second chiplet, in particular several second chiplets.

[0037] Advantageous embodiments of the first aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the further aspect.

[0038] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with at least one detection unit according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0039] The aforementioned arrangement of the lidar and radar units within the matrix, particularly in its nested configuration, especially with specific area and / or number of units, allows for exceptionally precise phase adjustment relative to each other. This enables highly accurate shaping of the emitted beam and precise direction control. These advantages are particularly pronounced when the lidar units are spaced less than half the wavelength of the beams used. The same applies to the radar system.

[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings.

[0041] They show:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a very simplified representation of an embodiment of a detection device according to the invention; and 2024PF00441

[0043] 7

[0044] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0045] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols.

[0046] Figure 1 shows a highly simplified embodiment of a detection device 1. This can also be referred to as a vehicle detection device. It is therefore intended for installation on a vehicle 2, as shown in Figure 2.

[0047] The detection device 1 has a housing 3. Various components of the detection device 1 are arranged in the housing 3. In particular, at least one semiconductor chip 4 is arranged in the housing 3. This semiconductor chip 4 has a lidar system 5 and a radar system 6. The lidar system 5 and the radar system 6 are integrated in the same common, integrated semiconductor chip 4.

[0048] Semiconductor chip 4 can be a single chip, or rather, it is a single chip in this case. It can, for example, be a SoC (System on Chip) and consist of a single silicon chip.

[0049] However, the semiconductor chip 4 can also be, for example, a chiplet system.

[0050] As can be seen in Fig. 1, several lidar units 7 of the lidar system 5 are configured here. Likewise, several radar units 8 of the radar system 6 are configured. The lidar units 7 and the radar units 8 are highly structured in a strict row and column arrangement, here a matrix with vertical columns and horizontal rows, on the semiconductor chip 4.

[0051] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the lidar units 7 and the radar units 8 are nested relative to each other on the semiconductor chip 4 as a matrix. In particular, a nesting pattern 9 is formed here. This also means, in particular, that the lidar units 7 and the radar units 8 are arranged in a specific alternating pattern in the matrix rows and matrix columns. For example, it can be seen that in the topmost matrix row there is one radar unit 8, then several lidar units 7, then another radar unit 8, then several more lidar units 7. 2024PF00441

[0052] 8 and a radar unit 8 are arranged in sequence. A corresponding arrangement is shown, for example, in the first matrix column.

[0053] In the second matrix row, the illustrated embodiment provides an arrangement of only 7 lidar units. This is also provided in some other matrix rows.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement of the lidar units 7 and the radar units 8 in the nesting pattern 9 is symmetrical. However, it is also possible for an asymmetrical nesting pattern 9 to be formed.

[0055] In one embodiment, the distance between two successive radar units 8 in the matrix, particularly in a matrix column and / or in a matrix row, is a value that is greater than the distance between two successive lidar units 7. For example, in Fig. 1, when considering the first matrix row, this means that the distance a1 between the first radar unit 8 and the subsequent radar unit 8 in the matrix row is many times greater than the distance a2 between successive lidar units 7 in this matrix row. The same applies to the matrix columns.

[0056] Preferably, the distance a1 is an integer multiple of the transmit wavelength. In particular, this applies to the transmit wavelength of radar system 6.

[0057] As can also be seen in Fig. 1, the number of radar units 8 is less than the number of lidar units 7. In particular, the number of lidar units 7 is greater, especially by a multiple, than the number of radar units 8.

[0058] Furthermore, Fig. 1 also indicates that the area of ​​a radar unit 8 on the semiconductor chip 4 is larger, in particular by an integer multiple, than the area of ​​a lidar unit 7 on the semiconductor chip 4. In particular, the area of ​​a radar unit 8 is 4 times that of a lidar unit 7.

[0059] Due to the described arrangement, at least some lidar units 7, and thus some radar units 8, and thus the lidar system 5 and the radar system 6, are configured and interlocked in the matrix in such a way that their transmit and / or 2024PF00441

[0060] 9

[0061] The receiving channels and therefore the corresponding detection areas overlap at least partially.

Claims

2024PF00441 10 Patent claims 1. Detection device (1) for a vehicle (2), comprising a semiconductor chip (4) on which a lidar system (5) and a radar system (6) are integrated, characterized in that several lidar units (7) of the lidar system (5) and several radar units (8) of the radar system (6) are arranged as a matrix and are formed on the semiconductor chip (4).

2. Detection device 1() according to claim 1 characterized in that the lidar units (7) and the radar units (8) are nested relative to each other on the semiconductor chip (4) as a matrix.

3. Detection device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the nesting of the lidar units (7) and the radar units (8) is formed in a pattern (9) in which the lidar units (7) and the radar units (8) are formed alternately in matrix rows of the matrix and / or are formed alternately in matrix columns of the matrix.

4. Detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance (a1 ) between two successive radar units (8) in the matrix, in particular in a matrix column and / or in a matrix row, is greater than a distance (a2) between two successive lidar units (7).

5. Detection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance (a1 ) of the radar units (8) is a multiple of the distance (a2) of the lidar units (7). 2024PF00441 11 6. Detection device (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the multiple is a, in particular integer, multiple of a transmission wavelength, in particular of the radar system (6).

7. Detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of radar units (8) and the number of lidar units (7) on the semiconductor chip (4) is different, in particular the number of lidar units (7) is larger, in particular by a multiple.

8. Detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area size of a radar unit (8) on the semiconductor chip (4) is larger, in particular by an integer multiple larger, than the area size of a lidar unit (7) on the semiconductor chip (4).

9. Detection device (1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the area size of a radar unit (8) is 4 times larger than the area size of a lidar unit (7).

10. Detection device (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some lidar units (7) and at least some radar units (8) are configured in the arrangement of the matrix such that their transmit and / or receive channels overlap at least partially.

11. Detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radar system (6) has several antennas, in particular phased antennas, for transmitting and / or receiving, and / or mixing units and / or processing units, in particular as radar units (8). 2024PF00441 12 12. Detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lidar system (5) comprises several laser emitters and / or several waveguides and / or several beam splitters and / or several diffraction gratings and / or several phase shifters and / or several amplitude gratings, in particular as lidar units (7).

13. Vehicle (2) with at least one detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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