FMCW LiDAR Beam Shifting for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
FMCW-LiDAR devices used in autonomous vehicles face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution without increasing integration density and costs, as they require a large number of free-space couplers in a confined space, leading to high reject rates during lithographic production.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a beam shifting unit with an actuator to displace light beams emerging from free-space couplers, allowing for a mechanical movement that increases grid density and effectively doubles the resolution without increasing integration density, achieved by moving the substrate or a flat plate to change beam angles, and incorporating a distribution matrix and control device to synchronize optical switches and beam alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of free-space couplers are arranged in a confined space to achieve high spatial resolution, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and reject rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical beam shifting unit that dynamically displaces light beams after they emerge from the free-space couplers. By moving the substrate or a flat plate, the system changes beam angles to effectively create additional sampling points, thereby doubling the resolution without adding more couplers to the integrated circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the approach of increasing integration density with a mechanical system. Instead of fabricating more free-space couplers on the photonic integrated circuit, a mechanical beam shifter is introduced to displace beams and create additional effective couplers through mechanical movement, thus avoiding higher manufacturing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of free-space couplers are arranged in a confined space to achieve high spatial resolution, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical beam shifting unit that dynamically displaces light beams after they emerge from the free-space couplers. By moving the substrate or a flat plate, the system changes beam angles to effectively create additional sampling points, thereby doubling the resolution without adding more couplers to the integrated circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the approach of increasing integration density with a mechanical system. Instead of fabricating more free-space couplers on the photonic integrated circuit, a mechanical beam shifter is introduced to displace beams and create additional effective couplers through mechanical movement, thus avoiding higher manufacturing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the number of free-space couplers is increased to double the resolution, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical beam shifting unit that dynamically displaces light beams after they emerge from the free-space couplers. By moving the substrate or a flat plate, the system changes beam angles to effectively create additional sampling points, thereby doubling the resolution without adding more couplers to the integrated circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the approach of increasing integration density with a mechanical system. Instead of fabricating more free-space couplers on the photonic integrated circuit, a mechanical beam shifter is introduced to displace beams and create additional effective couplers through mechanical movement, thus avoiding higher manufacturing complexity.
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 enables high spatial resolution at lower costs by effectively doubling the scanning resolution without the need for increased integration density, improving the reliability and efficiency of FMCW-LiDAR devices in generating three-dimensional images for autonomous driving applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to generate an optical signal with a varying frequency
Implementation Method 2
A deflection optics of the device is configured to deflect the optical signals emerging from the optical output waveguides so that they are simultaneously emitted from the device in different directions
Implementation Method 3
a beam shifting unit which has an actuator for generating a movement and is configured to temporarily displace the light beams emerging from the free-space couplers together—preferably in parallel—before they impinge on the deflection optics
Implementation Method 4
A detector detects a superposition of the optical signal generated by the light source with an optical signal reflected by the object
Implementation Method 5
After reflection at the object, the signals return to the measuring device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for scanning measurement of the distance to an object has a light source generating an optical signal that has a varying frequency. The output signal is coupled out of a plurality of optical output waveguides using free-space couplers. A flat plate is tilted by a rotary actuator such that the light beams emerging from the free-space couplers are offset in parallel, wherein said offset increases with increasing tilt angle. A lens deflects the light beams passing the flat plate, and a detector detects a superposition of the optical signal generated by the light source with an optical signal reflected by the object. A distance to the object is computed from the superposition detected by the detector.