Dual-Stage LIDAR Scanner Resolving Speed-Efficiency Tradeoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face challenges in achieving a fast scan rate while maintaining large return signal collection efficiencies, as single scanners with large mirrors are slow, and those with small mirrors miss reflected light signals at certain angles.
Innovation Solution
A dual-stage scanning system using two separate scanners, one for high-speed, large-angle scans and another for low-speed, wide-field scans, allowing light pulses to pass through a pick-off mirror and focusing lens to direct beams into a detector, enabling efficient coverage of an area with combined scan patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large mirror is used in the scanner, then return light collection efficiency is improved, but scan rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning function into two separate scanners: a first scanner with a large mirror for high-angle scans that collects return light efficiently, and a second scanner with a small mirror for low-angle scans that operates at high speed. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different scanning tasks to specialized components rather than requiring a single scanner to compromise between size and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the scanning process by sequentially operating two scanners with different characteristics. The system alternates between the first scanner (large mirror, slow speed) and second scanner (small mirror, fast speed) based on the scanning angle requirements, effectively adding time as a dimension to resolve the speed-size tradeoff.
2Productivity
If a small mirror is used in the scanner, then scan rate is improved, but return light collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning workload between two scanners with different mirror sizes. The second scanner with the small mirror handles only low-angle scans where high speed is critical and return light collection is less demanding, while the first scanner with the large mirror handles high-angle scans requiring efficient light collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing each scanner's mirror size for its specific scanning range. The first scanner has a large mirror specifically optimized for high-angle scans, while the second scanner has a small mirror optimized for low-angle scans, allowing each component to have the quality needed for its local function rather than requiring uniform optimization across all scanning angles.
3Device complexity
If a single scanner is used, then device complexity is reduced, but scanning accuracy and coverage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning system into two specialized scanners, each optimized for specific scanning angles and purposes. This segmentation improves measurement precision and coverage accuracy by ensuring that each scanning angle range is handled by a scanner specifically optimized for that range, rather than using a single general-purpose scanner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between two scanners based on the current scanning angle requirements. The control system dynamically selects which scanner to use for each scanning operation, optimizing the system's performance for the current task rather than being constrained by a fixed single-scanner configuration.
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 allows for faster and more accurate generation of three-dimensional images by combining high-speed and low-speed scan patterns, ensuring comprehensive coverage without missing reflected signals, thus improving scanning efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first scanner that is configured to deflect a light signal emitted by a light source at a first rate to form an initially-deflected light signal
Implementation Method 2
a second scanner that receives the initially-deflected light signal and deflects the initially-deflected light signal at a second rate that differs from the first rate to output a subsequently-deflected light signal
Implementation Method 3
a light source that is configured to emit light signals
Implementation Method 4
a detector that is configured to detect the reflected light signals
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A scanning system and method scan an area of interest. The scanning system may include a first scanner that deflects a light signal. The light signal that is deflected by the first scanner is output as an initially-deflected light signal. A second scanner receives the initially-deflected light signal and deflects the initially-deflected light signal. The initially-deflected signal that is deflected by the second scanner is output as a subsequently-deflected light signal.