Dynamic Signal Control in Flash LiDAR for Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flash LiDAR systems face challenges in accurately detecting objects at varying distances due to signal saturation and image distortion caused by high emitting power and detector gain settings, which affect the generation of 3-D representations and reflectivity information.
Innovation Solution
The detection range is divided into sections with independently controlled emitting power and detecting gain for each section, ensuring the product of these parameters is proportional to the square of the maximum distance, allowing for uniform signal processing and preventing saturation and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If higher emitting power and detector gain are used to extend detection range, then detection capability for far objects is improved, but detector saturation and signal distortion occur for close objects
Solution Approach 1:
The detection range is divided into multiple sections (e.g., first section for close objects, second section for far objects). Each section has independently controlled emitting power and detector gain settings. This segmentation allows close objects to be detected with lower power/gain to avoid saturation, while far objects are detected with higher power/gain to extend detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the detection range are assigned different local qualities in terms of emitting power and detector gain. The first section (close range) uses lower emitting power and lower detector gain, while the second section (far range) uses higher emitting power and higher detector gain. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between avoiding saturation for close objects and extending detection for far objects.
2Device complexity
If uniform emitting power and detector gain are used across all distances, then system complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy varies significantly between close and far objects
Solution Approach 1:
The detection range is segmented into multiple sections, each with optimized emitting power and detector gain settings. This segmentation improves detection accuracy for objects at different distances while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control of each section's parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The emitting power and detector gain are made dynamic rather than static. The controller automatically adjusts the emitting power and/or detector gain for each section based on the distance range. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high detection accuracy across varying distances without requiring manual intervention or complex manual 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 approach effectively extends the detection range without compromising accuracy or image quality, enabling clear and accurate sensing of objects at both close and far distances.
Implementation Method 1
the flash LiDAR illuminates the full interested region with just one extensively diverged laser pulse
Implementation Method 2
a ToF (time of flight) camera or single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array sensor is used to capture returning laser signal
Implementation Method 3
after the reflected light passing through the receiving optics, each point on an object will form a pattern (also called 'airy disk') on the detector
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a method for controlling the optical sensing system, and a controller for the optical sensing system. The exemplary method for controlling the optical system includes dividing a detection range of the optical sensing system into a plurality of sections, where each section covers a different range of distances to the optical sensing system. For each divided section, the transmitter of the optical sensing system transmits an optical signal to each section of the plurality of sections. The receiver of the optical sensing system then receives the optical signal returned from the corresponding section of the plurality of sections. After receiving the retuned optical signal from each divided section, these optical signals are then combined to form a detection signal of the detection range of the optical sensing system.