Compact Perception Device for Autonomous Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional LiDAR and camera systems in vehicles are bulky due to separate optical components, leading to inefficiencies in energy and computational resources, and require calibration for field of view matching.
Innovation Solution
A compact perception device that shares optical components, such as a collection lens, for both visible light and infrared light, allowing the LiDAR device and camera to operate with naturally matched fields of view, reducing the need for calibration and downstream data fusion workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate optical components are used for LiDAR and camera systems, then each sensor can function independently, but the system becomes bulky and requires calibration for field of view matching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical paths of the LiDAR depth sensor and camera image sensor into a single shared optical system. A beam splitter divides the incoming light so that both sensors receive light through the same lens and optical path, reducing the overall system size while maintaining independent sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The shared optical components (lens, beam splitter) serve multiple functions: they collect light for both the depth sensor and image sensor simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates redundant components and reduces system volume while ensuring both sensors operate with matched fields of view
2Ease of manufacture
If separate optical components are used for LiDAR and camera, then each sensor has dedicated optics, but calibration is required for field of view matching and data fusion workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the optical paths through a beam splitter, the patent ensures that both sensors share the same optical axis and field of view. This eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures to align separate optical systems and reduces data fusion complexity since the sensors naturally capture data from the same spatial perspective
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary that divides the incoming light path to both sensors while maintaining a unified optical system. This mediator component enables both sensors to operate independently yet with inherently aligned fields of view, eliminating calibration requirements
3Measurement precision
If separate optical components are used, then each sensor can be optimized for its specific wavelength, but energy efficiency and computational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical collection into a single shared lens system that serves both the infrared-sensitive depth sensor and the visible light-sensitive image sensor. This eliminates redundant optical components and reduces the total energy consumption of the system while maintaining wavelength-specific detection capabilities through the sensors themselves
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 results in a more compact system with improved energy efficiency and computational efficiency by eliminating the need for separate optical components and calibration, enhancing the ability to generate combined image and depth data.
Implementation Method 1
a lens configured to collect both visible light and near infrared (NIR) light to obtain collected light including collected visible light and collected NIR light
Implementation Method 2
a first optical reflector optically coupled to the lens. The first optical reflector is configured to reflect one of the collected visible light or the collected NIR light, and pass the collected light that is not reflected by the first optical reflector
Data Source
AI summary
A compact perception device for an autonomous driving system is disclosed. The compact perception device includes a lens configured to collect both visible light and near infrared (NIR) light to obtain collected light including collected visible light and collected NIR light. The device further includes a first optical reflector optically coupled to the lens. The first optical reflector is configured to reflect one of the collected visible light or the collected NIR light, and pass the collected light that is not reflected by the first optical reflector. The device further includes an image sensor configured to detect the collected visible light directed by the first optical reflector to form image data; and a depth sensor configured to detect the collected NIR light directed by the first optical reflector to form depth data.