Flash LiDAR Spatial Light Modulation for Eye-Safe дальняя Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems are limited by maximum illumination power to ensure eye safety, which restricts their ability to reliably detect far-away objects under varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system with spatial light modulation capabilities, allowing for nonuniform light emission and reception patterns to enhance detection by varying the field of view during flash emissions, using a spatial light modulator and processor to control light emission and reception based on reflection signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the illumination power of LIDAR systems is increased to improve detection of far-away objects, then the detection capability is improved, but the eye safety requirement is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing nonuniform spatial light modulation where different regions of the light emission pattern have different intensities. Specifically, the light emission assembly emits light with higher intensity in certain spatial regions and lower intensity in other regions, allowing enhanced detection in specific directions while maintaining eye safety in others. This is achieved through spatial light modulators that selectively modulate the light intensity across different spatial locations, enabling the system to optimize detection capability in critical areas without compromising eye safety overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the spatial light modulation pattern based on environmental conditions and detection requirements. The system can vary the light emission pattern in real-time, changing which regions receive enhanced illumination based on the presence of objects, environmental conditions (such as darkness, bright light, rain, fog, or snow), and detection priorities. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize detection capability when needed while maintaining eye safety constraints.
2Device complexity
If uniform light emission is used to simplify the system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the object detection precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing nonuniform spatial light modulation where different regions of the light emission pattern have different intensities. Specifically, the light emission assembly emits light with higher intensity in certain spatial regions and lower intensity in other regions, allowing enhanced detection in specific directions while maintaining eye safety in others. This is achieved through spatial light modulators that selectively modulate the light intensity across different spatial locations, enabling the system to optimize detection capability in critical areas without compromising eye safety overall.
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
Enhances object detection capabilities while complying with eye safety regulations, improving the reliability of LIDAR systems in diverse environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor
Implementation Method 2
illuminating objects with light and measuring the reflected pulses
Implementation Method 3
controlling a light emission assembly comprising at least one light source in a manner enabling spatial light modulation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting objects using a LIDAR system may include controlling a light emission assembly comprising a light source in a manner enabling spatial light modulation to a field of view (FOV) of the LIDAR system to vary during different flash light emissions of the light emission assembly. The method may also include controlling a sensor to detect first reflection signals indicative of reflections of first flash light emissions from objects in the FOV. The method may further include determining a nonuniform spatial light modulation for the light emission assembly based on at least one of the first reflection signals. The method may also include instructing the light emission assembly to emit to the FOV a second flash light emission in accordance with the nonuniform spatial light modulation, and detecting an object in the FOV based on second reflection signals of the second flash light emission.