Chip-Scale Coherent Lidar with Integrated Laser Diode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems for vehicle applications are large and costly, limiting their integration and effectiveness in compact, high-power sensing requirements for long-range object detection.
Innovation Solution
A chip-scale coherent lidar system with an integrated high power laser diode, featuring a master oscillator on a chip that provides both transmission and local oscillator signals, along with a beam steering device and combiner for interference detection, utilizing a distributed Bragg reflector laser diode and semiconductor optical amplifier for efficient signal modulation and amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional lidar systems are used for vehicle applications, then object detection capability is provided, but system size and cost are large and high, limiting integration and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the master oscillator, semiconductor optical amplifier, and photodetector onto a single photonic chip. This merging of components dramatically reduces system size and complexity while maintaining the coherent detection capability for accurate object detection in automotive applications
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated photonic chip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates the laser signal, amplifies it, performs coherent detection, and processes optical signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate discrete components, reducing both system size and cost while preserving measurement precision
2Device complexity
If high power laser diode is integrated on chip, then system size is reduced and cost is lowered, but achieving sufficient output power for long-range detection becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semiconductor optical amplifier as an intermediary component between the master oscillator and the output. This amplifier boosts the power of the laser signal generated by the integrated master oscillator, enabling long-range detection capability while maintaining the compact chip-scale architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The master oscillator on the chip preliminarily generates the laser signal with sufficient coherence and stability before it passes through the semiconductor optical amplifier. This preliminary generation of high-quality optical signal allows the subsequent amplifier to efficiently boost power without compromising signal integrity for long-range detection
3Measurement precision
If coherent detection is implemented, then accurate target information is obtained, but system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the local oscillator generation, signal mixing, and photodetection functions into a single integrated photonic chip. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of discrete components and interconnections required, while maintaining the coherent detection capability for accurate target information extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated photonic chip generates its own local oscillator signal internally from the master oscillator, eliminating the need for external separate laser sources and complex alignment procedures. This self-service capability significantly eases manufacturing and system integration while preserving measurement precision
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
Enables compact, cost-effective, and high-power lidar systems capable of long-range object detection, providing accurate information for vehicle automation and augmentation, such as object location and speed, by integrating key components on a single chip.
Implementation Method 1
a master oscillator integrated on a chip to simultaneously provide a signal for transmission and a local oscillator (LO) signal
Implementation Method 2
an amplifier to amplify the signal for transmission to produce the output signal
Implementation Method 3
One or more photodetectors obtain a result of interference between the LO signal and the return signal to determine information about the target
Data Source
AI summary
A chip-scale coherent lidar system includes a master oscillator integrated on a chip to simultaneously provide a signal for transmission and a local oscillator (LO) signal. The system also includes a beam steering device to direct an output signal obtained from the signal for transmission out of the system, and a combiner on the chip to combine the LO signal and a return signal resulting from a reflection of the output signal by a target. One or more photodetectors obtain a result of interference between the LO signal and the return signal to determine information about the target.