FMCW LiDAR Optical Scene Emulation for Scalable Over-the-Air Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing LiDAR systems are costly, difficult to automate, and not scalable, as they require outdoor environments or large physical models, making them inefficient for developers and manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A system for emulating an over-the-air environment using optical processing chains, frequency shift emulators, and optical attenuators to simulate various conditions for LiDAR testing, allowing for programmable control and replication of optical environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If outdoor environments or large physical models are used for testing LiDAR systems, then the test environment provides realistic conditions, but the setup becomes large, expensive, difficult to automate and not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies of real-world scenes using LED arrays and optical processing chains. Instead of building large physical models, the system generates synthetic optical signals that replicate the characteristics of reflected light from real objects, including spatial distribution, intensity, and temporal properties. This allows realistic LiDAR testing in a compact, controllable environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical test environments with an optical processing system. Rather than physically constructing large-scale test scenes with actual objects and structures, the invention uses optical components (lenses, modulators, LED arrays) to generate and manipulate light fields that simulate real-world optical conditions, making the system more compact and automatable.
2Reliability
If outdoor environments or large physical models are used for testing LiDAR systems, then the test environment provides realistic conditions, but it becomes expensive and not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies of real-world scenes using LED arrays and optical processing chains. Instead of building large physical models, the system generates synthetic optical signals that replicate the characteristics of reflected light from real objects, including spatial distribution, intensity, and temporal properties. This allows realistic LiDAR testing in a compact, controllable environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic control of optical signal parameters (intensity, timing, spatial distribution, wavelength) through electronic modulation of LED arrays and optical components. This allows the same physical system to simulate diverse test conditions by changing parameters rather than physically reconfiguring the environment, improving scalability and cost-effectiveness.
3Reliability
If traditional testing methods are used, then the setup provides real-world conditions, but automation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical test environments with an optical processing system. Rather than physically constructing large-scale test scenes with actual objects and structures, the invention uses optical components (lenses, modulators, LED arrays) to generate and manipulate light fields that simulate real-world optical conditions, making the system more compact and automatable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic control of optical signal parameters (intensity, timing, spatial distribution, wavelength) through electronic modulation of LED arrays and optical components. This allows the same physical system to simulate diverse test conditions by changing parameters rather than physically reconfiguring the environment, improving scalability and cost-effectiveness.
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 system provides a cost-effective, scalable, and controllable method for testing LiDAR units, enabling efficient emulation of diverse scenarios and conditions, including Doppler shift, reflectivity, and path loss, without the need for large physical setups.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical fiber coupled to the input lens system and configured to provide optical signals corresponding to the received light
Implementation Method 2
a frequency shift emulator coupled to the plurality of optical fibers which is configured to create a frequency offset in the received optical signals... to emulate both distance and Doppler shift
Implementation Method 3
at least one optical attenuator/amplifier configured to selectively control (attenuate or amplify) the amplitude of the optical signals to emulate different levels of reflectivity and path loss
Data Source
AI summary
A system for emulating an over-the-air environment for testing a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) unit under test (UUT). The system may comprise a lens system that receives light from the LiDAR UUT and a plurality of optical processing chains. The system may generate light into free space based on the optical signals processed by each chain. The system may process received light optically to maintain coherence with light received from the LiDAR unit under test and may process all points in a LiDAR image simultaneously. The system may operate to emulate an over-the-air environment for a time-of-flight LiDAR UUT, a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR UUT, and/or a flash LiDAR UUT.