FMCW LiDAR Birefringent Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FMCW LiDAR systems face challenges in minimizing size while maintaining detection performance due to transmission and reception offset angles caused by scanning component motion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a birefringent component to compensate for the transmission and reception offset angle, allowing the detection beam and reflected beam to be transmitted and received through the same port of the optical transmitter/receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a scanning component is used to deflect the detection beam for scanning, then the detection coverage and scanning capability are improved, but a transmission and reception offset angle is caused due to motion of the scanning component, leading to reduced detection performance
Solution Approach 1:
A birefringent component is introduced as an intermediary element between the scanning component and the optical transmitter/receiver. This component compensates for the transmission and reception offset angle caused by scanning component motion, enabling the detection beam and reflected beam to be properly aligned for transmission and reception through the same port, thus resolving the contradiction between scanning capability and detection performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the birefringent property of a specific material (such as crystal glass with refractive indices n1=1.66 and n2=1.68) to change the optical path parameters. By carefully selecting materials and configuring the birefringent component, the offset angle is compensated, allowing the system to maintain detection performance while achieving scanning functionality
2Reliability
If the system uses separate ports for transmitting detection beams and receiving reflected beams, then the transmission and reception offset angle issue is avoided, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission and reception functions into a single port by using the birefringent component to compensate for offset angles. This allows the same optical port to be used for both transmitting detection beams and receiving reflected beams, eliminating the need for separate ports and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection performance
Solution Approach 2:
The optical transmitter/receiver port is designed to perform multiple functions - both transmitting detection beams and receiving reflected beams - by utilizing the birefringent compensation mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity and size while ensuring reliable detection performance
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 solution ensures optimal detection performance of the FMCW LiDAR system while minimizing its size, by aligning the optical axes of the detection and reflected beams and maximizing the coupling efficiency of the reflected beam.
Implementation Method 1
a birefringent component, configured to compensate for a transmission and reception offset angle caused by motion of the scanning component
Implementation Method 2
a lens component, arranged between the optical transmitter/receiver and the scanning component, configured to collimate the detection beam and couple the reflected beam into the optical transmitter/receiver
Implementation Method 3
a scanning component, arranged on one side of the optical transmitter/receiver and configured to deflect the detection beam to perform scanning on the detection beam
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an FMCW light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. The FMCW LiDAR system includes: a laser source, emitting a frequency-swept laser beam; a light engine, comprising an optical transmitter/receiver, where the light engine is configured to receive the frequency-swept laser beam, and transmit, as a detection beam, at least a part of the frequency-swept laser beam from the optical transmitter/receiver, and the optical transmitter/receiver receives a reflected beam formed after the detection beam is incident on an obstacle; a scanning component, on one side of the optical transmitter/receiver and configured to deflect the detection beam to scan the detection beam; and a birefringent component, configured to compensate for a transmission and reception offset angle caused by motion of the scanning component, to enable the detection beam and the reflected beam to be transmitted and received by a same port of the optical transmitter/receiver.