Acousto-Optic Beam Steering for LiDAR Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-mechanical optical beam steering systems for LiDAR, such as those using optical phase arrays or focal plane switch arrays, require a large number of discrete elements and complex fabrication processes, and dispersive systems rely on expensive tunable laser sources, making them impractical for wide-range beam steering.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acousto-optic beam steering system that uses a driver circuit to generate a drive signal at an oscillation frequency, actuating an acousto-optic deflector to steer electromagnetic radiation at an emission angle proportional to the frequency, enabling efficient beam steering without the need for numerous discrete elements or expensive tunable sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical phase arrays or focal plane switch arrays are used for non-mechanical beam steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to requiring a large number of discrete elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete optical elements into a single integrated acousto-optic modulator (AOM) crystal. Instead of using separate elements for beam steering, the invention integrates the beam steering function directly into the AOM crystal through acoustic wave propagation, thereby reducing the number of discrete elements while maintaining beam steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The acousto-optic modulator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a beam steering device and a frequency modulator. By propagating acoustic waves through the AOM crystal, the system achieves both angular deflection of the laser beam and frequency modulation, eliminating the need for separate discrete elements for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dispersive optical elements with tunable properties are used for beam steering, then beam steering angle range increases, but the system becomes impractical due to the difficulty of tuning material properties over a wide range
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamically controllable acoustic wave parameters (frequency and amplitude) to achieve wide-range beam steering. By changing the acoustic frequency and amplitude applied to the AOM crystal, the beam steering angle can be tuned dynamically without requiring changes to the material properties of the crystal itself, making the system both practical and highly adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of tuning material properties, the invention changes the acoustic wave parameters (frequency and amplitude) propagating through the AOM crystal. This approach achieves wide beam steering angle range while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of creating tunable material properties, as the crystal remains static and the tuning is achieved through electrical control of the acoustic waves.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional beam steering systems are replaced with acousto-optic beam steering, then system compactness and robustness improve, but beam steering angle range may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the beam steering capability from one-dimensional angular deflection to two-dimensional control by independently modulating both the frequency and amplitude of the acoustic waves in the AOM crystal. This dimensional extension in the control parameter space enables wide beam steering angle range while maintaining the compact form factor of the acousto-optic system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for compact, robust, and cost-effective beam steering with a wide range of steering angles, achieving high angular resolution and efficient frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) capabilities for LiDAR applications.
Implementation Method 1
an acousto-optic beam steering device optically coupled with the source of electromagnetic radiation and the driver circuit and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at an emission angle as a function of the oscillation frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, modules, methods, and machine-readable storage media for Frequency Angular Resolving (FAR) are described. In an embodiment, the system comprises a transmitter and a receiver. In an embodiment, the transmitter comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation; a driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal at an oscillation frequency; an acousto-optical beam steering device optically coupled with the source of electromagnetic radiation and the driver circuit and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at an emission angle as a function of the oscillation frequency. In an embodiment, the receiver comprises a radiation sensor optically coupled with the source of electromagnetic radiation. In an embodiment, the system comprises an electro-optic modulator optically coupled to the source of electromagnetic radiation, the electro-optic modulator configured to modulate a frequency of light emitted to the acousto-optical beam steering device.