Monolithic Coaxial Light Sensing Layout for Low-Loss LiDAR
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LiDAR systems are bulky and suffer from light loss due to additional optical parts in the light path, affecting their efficiency in object detection and distance measurement.
Innovation Solution
A light source-integrated light sensing system where semiconductor light sources and light receiving units are monolithically formed on a single substrate, with the light-emitting and light-receiving axes being substantially coaxial to enhance light reception efficiency, and a processor controls the light-emitting devices to optimize light emission and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional optical parts are disposed on the light path between the light source and the object, then the system can perform light detection and ranging, but the system becomes bulky and causes light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source (VCSEL) and light receiving unit (photodetector array) into a single integrated device on a common die. This merging eliminates the need for separate optical components and their associated mounting structures, directly reducing system complexity and size while maintaining detection capability through the integrated emitter-photodetector units
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated light source and sensor unit serves multiple functions simultaneously - emitting light, receiving reflected light, and performing detection - all within a single device structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, addressing the bulkiness issue while preserving full LiDAR operational capability
2Reliability
If additional optical parts are disposed on the light path, then the system can detect objects, but light loss occurs when light passes through these optical parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate optical parts from the light path by directly integrating the photodetector array with the light source. By removing these intermediate components, the system reduces light loss while maintaining the essential light emission and detection functions through the integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the light source and light receiving unit into a single integrated device, the patent creates a direct optical path without intermediate components. This combination eliminates multiple light-matter interactions that cause energy loss, thereby reducing overall light loss while preserving detection capability
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 improves light reception efficiency and enables effective object detection, distance measurement, and material analysis, suitable for various applications including autonomous vehicles and IoT devices, by integrating light sources and sensors on a single substrate and optimizing light emission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for irradiating laser light onto an object and a sensor for receiving light reflected from the object
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A light sensing system includes a plurality of light-emitting devices arranged to have a first optical axis and a plurality of light-receiving devices arranged to have a second optical axis, the second optical axis being parallel with the first optical axis. The plurality of light-emitting devices and the plurality of light-receiving devices are formed to have a monolithically integrated structure, and the first optical axis and the second optical axis are substantially coaxial to each other, thus improving the efficiency of light reception.