Time Multiplexing Flash LiDAR Spatial Resolution via Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR systems face limitations in achieving high spatial angle resolution for obstacle detection and avoidance in autonomous driving systems, as the spatial resolution of flash LiDAR is determined by the number of light detectors and lacks mechanical parts, which restricts its ability to provide detailed point cloud data.
Innovation Solution
A time multiplexing flash LiDAR system utilizing a plurality of light transmitters, opto-mechanical beam steering components, and Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes, where an array of MEMS micro-mirrors steers and multiplexes reflected pulse light from multiple fields of view to enhance spatial resolution by sequentially activating beam steering components, allowing for high-resolution point cloud data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flash LiDAR is used to eliminate mechanical parts and increase scanning speed, then productivity is improved, but spatial angle resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the field of view into multiple regions and uses multiple light transmitters and beam steering components to scan different segments simultaneously. This allows the system to maintain high scanning speed while achieving high spatial resolution by dividing the detection task across multiple parallel channels rather than using a single mechanical scanner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional mechanical scanning in one dimension to a multi-dimensional approach using time multiplexing combined with spatial beam steering. By activating beam steering components sequentially in time while simultaneously scanning multiple light transmitters in space, the system achieves both high speed and high resolution through dimensional expansion.
2Measurement precision
If the number of light detectors is increased to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light receiver and beam steering components multi-functional by using them to serve multiple fields of view sequentially through time multiplexing. A single light receiver can detect reflections from multiple spatial regions at different time slots, eliminating the need for one detector per spatial bin and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic time multiplexing where the beam steering components and light receiver operate in a sequential, time-varying manner. This dynamic operation allows a single static detector to perform the function of multiple detectors by switching between detecting different spatial regions at different times, thereby reducing the total number of detectors required.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical beam steering components are added to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical beam steering mechanisms with a time-multiplexed electronic control system. Instead of using complex mechanical scanners to redirect light, the system uses electronic switching to activate different beam steering components sequentially, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control while achieving the same spatial resolution improvement.
4Length of stationary object
If optical power is increased to extend detection range, then length of moving object is improved, but use of energy by moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic time-multiplexed scanning to distribute the optical power consumption over time. Instead of continuously emitting high-power light, the system emits light in periodic pulses synchronized with the beam steering component activation, achieving extended detection range while reducing average power consumption through temporal distribution of the energy load.
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 achieves high spatial resolution point cloud data by multiplexing reflected pulse light from multiple fields of view, increasing the detection range and accuracy of obstacle detection and avoidance, while reducing optical power consumption and allowing for longer possible detection ranges within safety limits.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitter, configured to emit pulse light
Implementation Method 2
receiving returned laser signal such that distances to objects are computed by measuring time delay between emitted and returned laser
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes that generates high spatial angle resolutions
Data Source
AI summary
A time multiplexing flash light detection and ranging apparatus includes a light transmitter configured to emit pulse light, a beam steering unit optically coupled to the light transmitter and including a plurality of beam steering components, and a light receiver optically coupled to the light transmitter and configured to capture a portion of reflected pulse light from one of the plurality of field of view at a time. The plurality of beam steering components are activated sequentially to multiplex the reflected pulse light from a plurality of field of views, and the reflected pulse light represents the pulse light reflected by at least one object.