Coherent Optical Sensing for Real-Time 6-DoF Position and Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localization systems face challenges in achieving accurate, real-time, and robust six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) positioning and velocity estimation, particularly in uncontrolled environments, due to interference and limitations in tracking rapid motion.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a sparse array of coherent optical transceivers mounted on a platform, which emit modulated beams of coherent radiation, process reflections coherently to extract displacement parameters, and compute location and velocity coordinates based on these parameters, optionally integrated with inertial sensors and radio geolocation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional localization systems use a combination of IMU, GPS receiver, and optical sensors, then localization can be achieved, but the system is prone to error and sensitive to optical and RF interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical and electronic sensing systems (IMU, GPS, optical sensors) with a coherent optical sensing system that uses laser beams and photodetectors to measure position and velocity. This substitution eliminates sensitivity to RF interference and provides more reliable localization through coherent optical detection that is inherently resistant to electromagnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coherent optical radiation (laser beams) as an intermediary carrier to transmit positioning information. The laser beams serve as a medium that carries encoded position and velocity data through coherent modulation, allowing the system to achieve accurate localization without being affected by environmental RF interference or optical interference that plagues traditional systems.
2Measurement precision
If traditional localization systems are used in uncontrolled environments, then localization can be performed, but they are unable to keep up precisely with rapid motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous coherent optical sensing with continuous laser beam transmission and continuous photodetector detection to maintain uninterrupted measurement of position and velocity. This continuous action enables the system to track rapid motion without interruption, providing real-time precision that traditional intermittent or discrete sensing systems cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes frequency modulation of the laser beams to encode position and velocity information. By changing the frequency parameters of the coherent optical radiation in a controlled manner, the system can extract precise motion parameters through coherent detection, enabling accurate tracking of rapid motion dynamics that traditional systems cannot resolve.
3Measurement precision
If FMCW LIDAR is used to measure range and velocity, then Doppler shift can be detected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ranging and velocimetry functions into a single coherent optical sensing system. By combining frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR with coherent detection in one integrated system, the patent achieves simultaneous measurement of range and velocity without requiring separate systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The coherent optical sensing system serves multiple functions: it performs ranging, velocimetry, and can potentially enable mapping and recognition tasks. The single system handles diverse measurement requirements through coherent detection of modulated laser beams, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 accurate, real-time localization and velocity estimation with six degrees of freedom, resistant to environmental interference, and capable of simultaneous localization and mapping, without reliance on external signals.
Implementation Method 1
The received reflections are processed at the transceivers coherently with the transmitted beams to extract displacement parameters of the transceivers relative to the respective surfaces
Implementation Method 2
When the target is moving, the resulting Doppler shift of the reflected light will cause the beat frequency to increase or decrease, depending on the direction of motion
Implementation Method 3
The light reflected from the target is mixed with a sample of the transmitted light and detected by a photodetector, such as a balanced photodiode
Implementation Method 4
reflections of the beams are received from two or more different, respective surfaces at different, respective orientations relative to the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sensing includes transmitting multiple beams of coherent optical radiation at different, respective beam angles from an array of transceivers (40) mounted on a platform (20). At two or more of the transceivers, reflections of the beams are received from two or more different, respective surfaces (56, 57. 58) at different, respective orientations relative to the platform. The received reflections are processed at the transceivers coherently with the transmitted beams to extract displacement parameters of the transceivers relative to the respective surfaces. Coordinates of the platform are computed based on the displacement parameters.