Dynamic Lidar Scan Pattern Adjustment for Cross-Talk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems face challenges in reducing inter-vehicle cross-talk and efficiently scanning a two-dimensional field of regard with existing technologies, which can lead to increased power requirements and potential eye safety issues due to high transmit power levels.
Innovation Solution
A lidar system that scans a two-dimensional field of regard using fewer output beams by modifying the scan pattern based on processed pixel arrays, reducing the probability of cross-talk events and maintaining low power levels through a sequence of pulses emitted along both horizontal and vertical dimensions with a single beam of light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple output beams are used to scan the field of regard, then the scanning coverage and resolution are improved, but the number of light pulses in flight increases leading to inter-vehicle cross-talk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple scanning functions into a single output beam by implementing a two-dimensional detector array that simultaneously captures spatial information across multiple dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple separate beams and thereby reducing cross-talk while maintaining scanning resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional scanning approach to a two-dimensional detector array, adding a spatial dimension to the detection process. This allows the system to capture the entire field of regard simultaneously across multiple spatial dimensions rather than sequentially with multiple beams
2Measurement precision
If high transmit power levels are used, then the detection range and signal strength are improved, but eye safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed illumination instead of continuous high-power emission, using short-duration light pulses that provide sufficient detection range while minimizing the duty cycle and average power exposure to maintain eye safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with multiple high-power beams with a stationary single-beam system coupled with a two-dimensional detector array, enabling simultaneous multi-point detection at low power levels through electronic rather than optical multiplexing
3Device complexity
If a single beam is used to scan two-dimensional field, then the system complexity and power requirements are reduced, but the scanning time and coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the scanning process by using a two-dimensional detector array that captures spatial information across multiple dimensions simultaneously, allowing a single beam to achieve two-dimensional field coverage without increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single output beam is designed to perform multiple scanning functions simultaneously by illuminating the entire field of regard while the two-dimensional detector array captures spatial information across both horizontal and vertical dimensions, making the single beam universally functional for complete field coverage
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 approach reduces the number of light pulses in flight, minimizing cross-talk while maintaining effective scanning capabilities and ensuring eye safety by lowering power levels, thus enhancing the system's efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit a beam of light including a sequence of pulses
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to detect light from at least some of the pulses scattered by one or more remote targets
Data Source
AI summary
A lidar system includes a light source configured to emit a beam of light including a sequence of pulses, a scanner configured to scan, using the sequence of pulses, a field of regard of the lidar system along a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension in accordance with a first scan pattern; a receiver configured to detect light from at least some of the pulses scattered by one or more remote targets to generate an array of pixels, based on the sequence of pulses of the beam of light. The lidar system is further configured to modify the first scan pattern in view of a result of processing the generated array of pixels to generate a second scan pattern, and scan the field of regard using the sequence of pulses along the horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension in accordance with the second scan pattern.