Electro-Optic Beam Scanner for Wide-Angle High-Speed Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current operational guidance systems for autonomous vehicles have limited field of regard and low scan frequency, which restricts their ability to operate safely and efficiently, especially in applications requiring high-speed and wide-angle scanning.
Innovation Solution
A novel beam scanner using a substantially transparent substrate plate with variably polarizable particles, capable of high-speed beam steering without moving parts, allowing for a large aperture and high scan rates up to 1 MHz, enabling random access pointing and high-density point cloud generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical beam steering elements (movable deflection, MEMS devices, rotating mirrors) are used to increase scan frequency and field of regard, then scan speed and field of view are improved, but power consumption increases substantially and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering elements (movable deflection mirrors, MEMS devices, rotating mirrors) with an electro-optic beam steering system that uses electric fields to modulate the refractive index of a medium, thereby steering the beam without moving parts. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical motion while achieving high scan frequencies (>75 kHz) and reduces power consumption by avoiding the energy required to accelerate and move mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or parameters of the beam steering medium by applying electric fields to modulate the refractive index dynamically. This allows the beam direction to be controlled by changing electrical parameters (voltage, frequency) rather than mechanical parameters (position, speed), enabling high-speed scanning with low power consumption.
2Area of moving object
If mechanical beam steering elements are used to increase scan frequency and field of regard, then field of view is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical beam steering elements (rotating mirrors, MEMS devices) with a lightweight electro-optic system that uses electric field modulation in a transparent medium to steer beams. This eliminates the need for heavy mechanical components while achieving a wide field of regard (up to 180 degrees in flat applications, 360 degrees in cylindrical applications) through electronic control of the refractive index distribution.
3Productivity
If mechanical beam steering elements are used to increase scan frequency, then scan speed is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical beam steering systems (multiple moving parts, precision mechanical assemblies) with a simpler electro-optic system that uses electric field modulation. The beam steering function is achieved by applying voltages to electrodes that create refractive index gradients in a transparent medium, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining high scan rates (>75 kHz).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential beam steering function from the mechanical components and implements it through pure electro-optic effects. By removing the mechanical substrate and keeping only the electric field modulation capability, the system achieves high scan rates with reduced complexity and smaller size.
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 solution provides a significant increase in field of view and scan speed, enhancing the safety and efficiency of autonomous vehicle operations by improving point cloud density and reducing power consumption, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design suitable for electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A beam scanner for use in an operational guidance system... comprising at least one transparent, partially conductive substrate plate having at least one generally planar face thereon with a series of particles affixed with said plate, each of the particles having an arbitrary size, and each of the particles possessing an induced dipole moment
Implementation Method 2
The controller alters the electrical environment of the particles by changing their dipole moment proportionally with the degree of electromagnetic wavefront steering desired. This steering enables communication of the steered electromagnetic wavefronts from beam scanner to a detector.
Data Source
AI summary
A beam scanner for use in conjunction with the operational guidance system of a vehicle. The beam scanner can be used as part of an electromagnetic signal transmit module or an electromagnetic signal receive module in either a transmissive or reflective mode. The beam scanner is a substantially transparent and partially conductive substrate plate having at least one generally planar face thereon with a series of particles affixed with said plate, each of said particles of an arbitrary size, and each of said particles possessing an induced dipole moment, and each of said particles in electrical contact with said partially conductive substrate plate.