Backscatter Histogram Accumulation for Diffuse LIDAR Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical runtime measurement systems, such as LIDAR, struggle to accurately determine diffuse backscatter, which is crucial for precise environmental condition assessment and object detection, especially in conditions like fog, due to low signal-to-noise ratio and difficulty in distinguishing diffuse backscatter from other light contributions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a histogram accumulation unit to generate backscatter histogram data by accumulating time-correlated histogram data from multiple light-detecting receiving elements, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of diffuse backscatter and reducing data volume through selective time and spatial resolution adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time-correlated histogram data from multiple light-detecting receiving elements are accumulated to determine diffuse backscatter, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple time-correlated histogram data streams from different light-detecting receiving elements into a single backscatter histogram data stream. The histogram accumulation unit merges these individual histograms by accumulating their contents, thereby combining the signal contributions from multiple elements while maintaining the time-correlated structure. This merging process improves the signal-to-noise ratio by aggregating signal strength across multiple elements without requiring complex multi-channel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The histogram accumulation unit serves multiple functions: it accumulates histogram data from multiple receiving elements, generates backscatter-specific histogram data, and prepares the data for environmental condition assessment. By designing the unit to handle multiple operations within a single component, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for diffuse backscatter determination.
2Measurement precision
If histogram accumulation is performed to enhance diffuse backscatter determination, then measurement precision improves, but data processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by accumulating histogram data in the time domain before performing environmental condition assessment. The histogram accumulation unit pre-processes the data by combining multiple time-correlated histograms into a single structured output, which then can be efficiently processed for determining environmental conditions. This preliminary accumulation reduces the complexity of subsequent processing steps and minimizes overall data processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the data structure by moving from multiple separate histogram dimensions (one for each receiving element) to a single integrated backscatter histogram dimension. This dimensional transformation consolidates the data representation, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision while reducing the computational burden for environmental condition assessment, thereby decreasing data processing time.
3Productivity
If selective time and spatial resolution adjustments are made to reduce data volume, then productivity improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the processing of different time intervals and spatial regions within the histogram data. The system identifies and processes only the relevant portions of the data (e.g., specific time windows corresponding to expected backscatter ranges, or spatial regions of interest) while maintaining high resolution where needed and reducing resolution where data volume can be safely reduced. This localized approach maintains measurement precision for critical parameters while improving productivity by reducing unnecessary data processing.
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
Improves the accuracy of diffuse backscatter determination, enabling better environmental condition assessment and object detection, particularly at short distances, thereby enhancing safety and reliability in autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
several light-detecting receiving elements, in particular single photon avalanche diodes, which are set up to detect reflected light signals and generate electrical signals in response thereto
Implementation Method 2
the runtime of a transmitted light signal reflected by an object is measured
Implementation Method 3
pulses are periodically transmitted and the reflected pulses are detected
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating backscatter histogram data for determining a diffuse backscatter during an optical runtime measurement, comprising:At least one histogram accumulation unit, which has several signal inputs, so as to receive time-correlated histogram data; andwherein the histogram accumulation unit is set up to generate backscatter histogram data based upon the time-correlated histogram data received at the signal inputs.