Distributed Aperture LIDAR for Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems for vehicle navigation, particularly rotorcraft, face limitations in providing high-resolution heading information and low-resolution peripheral information effectively, which can lead to inadequate obstacle avoidance, especially in situations where hazards like power lines are difficult to image at low resolution.
Innovation Solution
A distributed aperture system comprising a first aperture with a wide field of view and high resolution, and a second aperture with a narrow field of view, both generating point cloud data using LIDAR systems, with the second resolution being greater than the first and overlapping to provide high-resolution heading and low-resolution peripheral information in a common three-dimensional image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single imaging sensor is used to cover both heading and peripheral areas, then coverage is improved, but resolution for heading imagery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into multiple distributed apertures, each responsible for specific field of view. The first aperture captures heading imagery with high resolution, while the second aperture captures peripheral imagery. This segmentation allows each aperture to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single two-dimensional imaging plane to a three-dimensional point cloud representation. By using multiple apertures to capture data from different spatial positions and combining them into a 3D model, the system achieves both wide coverage and high resolution in the heading direction simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If high resolution is used for heading imagery, then hazard detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging function across multiple apertures with different fields of view. The first aperture is dedicated to high-resolution heading imagery for hazard detection, while the second aperture handles peripheral coverage. This segmentation allows high resolution to be achieved only where needed, reducing overall system complexity compared to making the entire system high-resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different apertures are assigned different quality levels based on local requirements. The first aperture provides high resolution locally for the heading direction where hazard detection is critical, while the second aperture provides lower resolution for peripheral areas where detailed detection is less critical. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between resolution and complexity.
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
The system effectively enhances obstacle avoidance by providing early indication of hazards along the direction of travel while maintaining situational awareness of the periphery, allowing for timely adjustments in vehicle navigation.
Implementation Method 1
A LIDAR system can be optically coupled to the aperture and configured to generate point cloud data using electromagnetic radiation received through the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed aperture system includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture has a first field of regard and a first resolution. The second aperture has a second aperture and a second resolution and a second field of regard. The second field of regard overlaps the first field of regard and the second resolution is greater than the first resolution to provide high resolution heading information and low resolution peripheral information in a common 3D image for obstacle avoidance. Obstacle avoidance systems and imaging methods are also described.