Dual Beam Steering LIDAR for Wide Area and Fast Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems struggle to simultaneously scan wide areas effectively and provide fast updates on moving objects, particularly in high-velocity traffic scenarios, due to limitations in beam steering rates and mechanical control, which can result in missed detections of vehicles outside the narrow scanning sector.
Innovation Solution
A dual beam steering LIDAR system comprising a mechanically controlled first beam scanner for wide area scanning and a diffraction-based second beam scanner for foveation and precise updates within a narrower sector, allowing for simultaneous wide area coverage and rapid target tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional LIDAR system uses a single mechanical scanner to scan wide areas, then the coverage area is improved, but the scanning rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning function into two separate beam scanners: a first beam scanner for wide area scanning and a second beam scanner for narrow sector scanning. This segmentation allows each scanner to be optimized for its specific function, with the mechanical scanner handling broad coverage and the diffraction-based scanner providing rapid updates within a focused sector, thereby resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and high scanning rate.
2Productivity
If the scanning sector is narrowed to improve scanning rate, then the update frequency is improved, but the detection coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection task into two parts: the first beam scanner maintains wide detection coverage while the second beam scanner concentrates on a narrow sector to achieve high update frequencies. This allows the system to simultaneously provide both broad surveillance and detailed monitoring of specific areas of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual beam scanner system provides multi-functionality by enabling the LIDAR to perform both wide-area surveillance and rapid target tracking simultaneously. The controller coordinates both scanners to fulfill multiple detection needs, making the system versatile enough to handle both general monitoring and focused investigation.
3Device complexity
If a single beam scanner is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously scan wide areas and track moving objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second beam scanner with a different scanning mechanism (diffraction-based) to complement the first mechanical scanner. This segmentation of scanning functions enables the system to perform both wide area scanning and rapid narrow-sector scanning simultaneously, achieving adaptability without excessively increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces part of the mechanical scanning system with a diffraction-based beam scanner for the narrow sector scanning function. This substitution allows for faster switching rates and enables the system to track moving objects more effectively while maintaining overall system manageability.
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 effective detection and collision avoidance by scanning wide areas and providing fast updates on moving objects, improving the detection of vehicles in high-velocity traffic scenarios without missing objects outside the primary scanning sector.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam may be redirected by reflecting the laser beam from a moving or rotating mirror
Implementation Method 2
Diffraction-based liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) beam steering
Data Source
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AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes dual beam scanners with dual beam steering. A first beam scanner in the LIDAR apparatus scans a wider area in one or more of a first plurality of scan patterns, and a second beam scanner in the LIDAR apparatus scans a narrower area in one or more of a second plurality of scan patterns different from the first plurality of scan patterns.