Adaptive Lidar Gain Control For Power And Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems face inefficiencies due to high power consumption and potential eye-safety issues when illuminating large fields of view, especially in bright ambient light conditions, and struggle to adapt to varying target reflectivities and distances, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system with a control circuit that adjusts the temporal and spatial operation of emitter and detector elements based on detection signals and spatial correlations, allowing for adaptive power adjustment and zonal illumination control to optimize optical signal power levels according to target reflectance and distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If higher optical emission power is used to illuminate large field of view and detect reflected light from long range and low-reflectivity targets, then the ability to recognize return optical signal is improved, but power consumption increases and eye-safety requirements may be violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the emitter array into multiple sub-arrays and controlling each sub-array independently based on the reflectivity and distance of specific targets in different field of view regions. This allows high power emission only toward targets that require it, while using lower power for other regions, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the optical emission power levels of different emitter elements based on real-time detection signals and predetermined spatial correlations. The control circuit modifies emission power adaptively according to target characteristics, transitioning from static fixed-power operation to dynamic variable-power operation that optimizes the balance between detection precision and power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If higher optical emission power is used to illuminate large field of view, then the ability to detect reflected light is improved, but heat generated alters optical performance and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By localizing high power emission to only those emitter sub-arrays corresponding to targets with low reflectivity or long distance, the patent reduces heat generation in the overall emitter array. This selective heating approach maintains detection capability for challenging targets while preventing thermal effects from degrading optical performance across the entire system.
3Measurement precision
If higher optical emission power is used in bright ambient light conditions, then the ability to detect reflected light is improved, but background noise from ambient light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively activating only the necessary emitter sub-arrays based on the spatial location and characteristics of detected targets. This localized emission reduces the total optical energy entering the detector array, thereby minimizing background noise from ambient light while maintaining sufficient signal strength for detection through targeted high-power emission.
4Area of stationary object
If uniform high power emission is applied across all emitter elements, then coverage of large field of view is achieved, but adaptability to varying target reflectivities and distances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by controlling different emitter sub-arrays with different power levels based on the specific target characteristics in each field of view region. This allows the system to adapt emission power locally to match target reflectivity and distance requirements, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining comprehensive field of view coverage through coordinated operation of all sub-arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static uniform emission to dynamic adaptive emission where the control circuit continuously adjusts emission power distribution based on real-time detection signals and spatial correlations. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize performance for varying target characteristics while maintaining overall field of view coverage.
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 reduces power consumption, enhances eye-safety, and improves the system's ability to accurately image targets by dynamically adjusting emitter power and detector sensitivity, ensuring efficient operation across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
laser emitter elements (including semiconductor lasers, such as surface- or edge-emitting laser diodes)
Implementation Method 2
semiconductor photodetectors, such as photodiodes
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system includes an emitter array configured to illuminate a field of view, a detector array configured to image the field of view, and a control circuit. The emitter array includes one or more emitter elements that are configured to emit respective optical signals responsive to respective emitter control signals. The detector array includes one or more detector elements configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon. The control circuit is configured to generate the respective emitter control signals based on the respective detection signals and respective spatial correlations of the one or more emitter elements and the one or more detector elements with respect to the field of view. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.