Array Lidar Optical Communication Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems lack the capability for effective optical communication, which is essential for applications like automotive safety and target tracking, and existing wireless communication methods are insecure and have high latency.
Innovation Solution
An array lidar system with a plurality of illuminators is used for both target detection and optical communication by transmitting beams and modulated optical signals, enabling secure, high-speed communication between platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless communication methods are used, then communication can be established, but security is compromised and latency is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wireless electromagnetic communication with optical communication using laser beams. This substitution of the transmission medium (from radio waves to light) enables secure line-of-sight communication with higher bandwidth and lower latency, directly addressing the security and latency issues of conventional wireless methods
Solution Approach 2:
The lidar system is designed to perform multiple functions: target detection, scanning, tracking, and optical communication. By making the lidar system universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication hardware, enabling secure communication capabilities while maintaining the primary sensing functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single laser is used in lidar system, then the system is simple, but the field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the laser system into multiple individual lasers arranged in an array. Each laser can be independently controlled to scan different portions of the field of view. This segmentation allows the system to cover a wider angular range and detect larger targets while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point laser to a two-dimensional array of lasers. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous coverage of multiple spatial locations and provides redundancy for target detection, effectively increasing the field of view without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If lidar system performs only target detection, then the system is dedicated and simple, but communication capability is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the lidar system to serve dual purposes: traditional target detection and optical communication. By modulating the laser beams, the system can encode and transmit data while maintaining its sensing capabilities, creating a universal platform that eliminates the need for separate communication hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the communication function with the existing lidar sensing function. The same laser array and optical path used for target detection are also used for transmitting communication signals, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system that reduces overall complexity
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 array lidar system facilitates secure, high-speed communication at 40 Gbps with low latency, enhancing safety applications by integrating scanning and communication functions simultaneously or serially, providing point-to-point communication that is more secure than traditional wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting light at an object and receiving and processing a resulting reflection
Implementation Method 2
transmitting modulated optical signals from a second set of the plurality of illuminators
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system on a platform and a method of performing optical communication using an array lidar system comprising a plurality of illuminators on a platform include transmitting beams from a first set of the plurality of illuminators, receiving reflections resulting from the beams to perform target detection, and transmitting modulated optical signals from a second set of the plurality of illuminators. Receiving the modulated optical signals is done to perform the optical communication.