Diffractive Waveguide Coaxial LiDAR for Parallax-Free 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lidar systems are bulky and inefficient in directing emitted and received light, which is a challenge for compact and lightweight applications, particularly in mobile platforms like autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial lidar system using a diffractive waveguide that redirects received light into a sensor array through a common optical path, incorporating emitter and sensor channels with a diffractive waveguide and micro-optic elements to share optical elements, reducing the need for separate bulk optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If separate bulk optics are used for emitter and sensor channels, then light direction control is achieved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emitter and sensor channels into a common optical path, allowing both functions to share the same optical axis and bulk optic module. This eliminates the need for separate bulk optics for each channel, reducing system weight while maintaining light efficiency through the unified optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulk optic module serves multiple functions: it acts as the optical path for both emitter and sensor channels, provides mechanical support, and enables both transmission and reception functions. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed, thereby reducing system weight.
2Loss of energy
If separate bulk optics are used for emitter and sensor channels, then light direction control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate bulk optic modules into a single shared module that serves both emitter and sensor channels. This merging reduces the total number of optical components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining effective light direction control through the common optical path.
3Ease of operation
If separate optical paths are used for emitter and sensor channels, then independent light control is achieved, but parallax error occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of the emitter and sensor channels into a common axis. This alignment ensures that emitted and received light follow the same path, eliminating parallax errors and improving measurement accuracy while still allowing independent control of each channel's light properties.
4Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented, then system size is reduced, but light direction control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a diffractive waveguide structure that redirects light in a dimension perpendicular to the main optical axis. This allows compact packaging of the sensor array while maintaining effective light direction control through the waveguide's diffraction-based beam steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive waveguide acts as an intermediary component between the common optical path and the sensor array. It efficiently redirects received light from the common optical axis into the laterally displaced sensor channels, enabling compact design without compromising light direction control.
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 enhances light efficiency, reduces system size and weight, and eliminates parallax between emitted and received light paths, enabling effective 3D imaging in compact form factors.
Implementation Method 1
The diffractive waveguide, which can be disposed between the first micro-optic element and the second micro-optic element, can include a diffraction grating that redirects received light having the operating wavelength from the second micro-optic element toward the sensor channel.
Implementation Method 2
The first diffraction grating can be configured to redirect received light having the operating wavelength from the second micro-optic element into the diffractive waveguide at an angle that produces total internal reflection at a second surface of the diffractive waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A coaxial lidar system includes one or more emitter channels and one or more sensor channels that share an optical module. A diffractive waveguide can be used to redirect received light from the shared optical module to the sensor channels.