Adaptive Ladar Receiver Pixel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ladar systems for computer vision face challenges such as high cost, large size, weight, and power requirements, as well as high data bandwidth, limiting their effective use to costly applications with short ranges and narrow fields-of-view.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive ladar receiver system that selectively controls subsets of pixels in a photodetector array based on targeted range points, augmented with various optics to reduce noise, optimize dynamic range, and mitigate scattering effects, achieving improved range precision and signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ladar systems are used for computer vision, then range measurement capability is achieved, but cost, size, weight, and power requirements become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the photodetector array into multiple independently controllable regions, allowing selective activation of only those pixel regions corresponding to current scan positions. This segmentation enables the system to maintain full range measurement capability while reducing the active sensor area, thereby lowering cost, size, and power requirements proportional to the reduction in active pixel count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of photodetector regions by selectively enabling or disabling specific pixel groups based on real-time scan position feedback. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize resource usage during operation, activating only the necessary subset of detectors at any given moment, thus reducing overall system complexity while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional ladar systems are used for computer vision, then range information is obtained, but data bandwidth requirements become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the relevant subset of photodetector signals corresponding to active scan positions, discarding or ignoring signals from inactive regions. This extraction approach reduces the volume of data requiring transmission and processing while maintaining complete range information for all targeted positions, thereby reducing bandwidth requirements without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by processing only the necessary portion of the photodetector array output at any given time rather than all pixels simultaneously. By activating and processing only the subset of detectors needed for current measurements, the system achieves full range information coverage with reduced data throughput requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If full photodetector array is activated continuously, then complete field coverage is achieved, but noise and scattering effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the active photodetector regions to match anticipated scan positions before measurements are taken. This proactive configuration ensures that only detectors corresponding to actual or predicted target positions are activated in advance, maintaining complete field coverage capability while minimizing the number of active detectors during operation, thus reducing noise and scattering from inactive elements.
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
The adaptive ladar receiver system achieves millimeter-scale range precision and improved signal-to-noise ratio, enabling more efficient and effective use in various applications beyond traditional limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a ladar receiver will receive a reflection of this laser output from an object in the nearby environment, and the ladar receiver will process the received reflection to determine a distance to such an object
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are various embodiments for a ladar system that includes an adaptive ladar receiver whereby the active pixels in a photodetector array used for reception of ladar pulse returns can be adaptively controlled based at least in part on where the ladar pulses were targeted by the ladar transmitter.