FMCW LiDAR Coupler Layout for High-Resolution Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FMCW LiDAR scanning devices face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution and real-time three-dimensional profiling due to optical losses from large distribution matrices, making it difficult to detect small objects at large distances, particularly in fast-moving vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a non-linear arrangement of free space couplers with increasing distances between adjacent couplers away from the optical axis, leveraging the additional scan effect caused by vehicle movement to increase spatial resolution without additional optical losses, and optionally uses a mechanical scanning unit to control density variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of free space couplers is increased to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but optical losses increase due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameter (distance between couplers) rather than increasing the number of couplers. By varying the distance between adjacent free space couplers, the system achieves higher spatial resolution without adding more components, thereby avoiding increased optical losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the dimension of variable spacing between couplers along the linear arrangement. Instead of increasing the number of couplers in one dimension, it optimizes the distribution density along the same dimension, effectively using spatial arrangement to achieve resolution improvement without component proliferation.
2Measurement precision
If the number of optical switches is increased to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the parameter of coupler spacing rather than increasing the number of switches. The variable distance arrangement between adjacent free space couplers enables higher spatial resolution while maintaining the same number of optical components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the number of free space couplers is increased to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves higher spatial resolution by changing the distance parameter between adjacent free space couplers rather than increasing their quantity. The variable spacing allows denser effective sampling in certain regions without requiring additional coupler components.
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 enhances spatial resolution by optimizing the density of illuminated points based on vehicle velocity and range, enabling high-resolution three-dimensional profiling without increasing the number of couplers, suitable for autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Each free space coupler is configured to outcouple the output light into the free space and to receive input light that was reflected at an object
Implementation Method 2
An optical system has an optical axis and is configured to deflect the output light outcoupled by the free space couplers so that the output light is emitted in different directions
Implementation Method 3
A detector is configured to detect a superposition of the input light with the reference light
Implementation Method 4
The frequency difference between the two signals, which is usually referred to as beat frequency, is measured and used to compute the range of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A device for scanning frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR range measurement has a light source producing light having a varying frequency, a splitter splitting the light into reference light and output light, and an optical system having an optical axis. A plurality of free space couplers are arranged along a line such that the distance between adjacent free space couplers increases with increasing distance from the optical axis. Each free space coupler outcouples the output light into the free space and receives input light that was reflected at an object. A detector detects a superposition of the input light with the reference light, and a calculation unit determines the range to the object from the superposition detected by the detector.