Adjustable Optical Element Mounting Fixture for LIDAR Scan Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems face challenges in maintaining synchronization between transmit and receive channels at high rotational speeds and increased slant ranges, leading to reduced scan rates and area coverage, necessitating operation at low altitudes or low scan rates.
Innovation Solution
The laser imaging system incorporates an adjustable optical element mounting fixture with a flexure mount and actuator, allowing real-time adjustment of the optical elements to compensate for line-of-sight differences, enabling faster scan rates and higher altitudes by dynamically aligning transmit and receive channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotational speed of the optical element is increased to increase area coverage rate, then the scan rate and area coverage are improved, but the synchronization between transmit and receive channels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the optical element's angular position through a feedback control system. The controller continuously monitors the angular position of the optical element and adjusts it in real-time to compensate for desynchronization between transmit and receive channels, enabling high rotational speeds while maintaining channel synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the angular position of the optical element is detected and fed back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the optical element's position based on this feedback to maintain proper synchronization between transmit and receive channels, resolving the contradiction between high scan rates and channel alignment.
2Area of stationary object
If the slant range is increased to expand coverage area, then the area coverage is improved, but the synchronization between transmit and receive channels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the optical element's angular position in response to changes in slant range. The feedback control mechanism compensates for the increased path length differences by real-time adjustment, allowing the system to operate at extended slant ranges while maintaining synchronization between transmit and receive channels.
3Productivity
If the scan rate is increased to improve productivity, then the area coverage rate is improved, but the operational accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors and adjusts the optical element's angular position to maintain precise line-of-sight alignment even at high scan rates. This real-time adjustment ensures that the transmit and receive channels remain synchronized, preserving measurement accuracy while operating at elevated scan rates.
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 configuration allows for increased area coverage rates, reducing operational costs and enabling high-precision line-of-sight positioning for applications like mapping and visualization, while eliminating the need for slip-rings and cable connections through inductive power and real-time control.
Implementation Method 1
a flexure mount carried by the rotatable base adjacent the opening and coupled to the collar
Implementation Method 2
an inductive power interface carried by the rotatable base
Implementation Method 3
a light (e.g., laser) source
Implementation Method 4
a light (e.g., laser) receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A laser imaging system may include a laser source, a laser receiver, a rotatable base defining a rotation axis, and an optical element (OE) carried by the rotatable base in an optical path between the laser source and laser receiver. An adjustable OE mounting fixture may mount the OE to be adjustably movable with respect to the rotatable base in a plane transverse to the rotation axis. A controller may be configured to adjust the adjustable OE mounting fixture to provide scan angle compensation.