FMCW LIDAR Wavelength Selection for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems face challenges in increasing safety for skin and eyes due to the use of lasers, solar background interference, atmospheric transmission, and reflectance of light signals, which affect their performance and reliability in applications like ADAS and AR.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system that outputs light signals within the 1290-1310 nm wavelength range, which enhances eye and skin safety, minimizes solar background interference, and optimizes atmospheric transmission, while using multiple wavelengths to improve reflectance for various materials like skin and metals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lasers are used as light sources in LIDAR systems, then the system can achieve precise 3D sensing capability, but safety risks to skin and eyes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the laser from conventional bands (1550nm, 1064nm) to the 1290-1310nm band, which falls within an atmospheric transmission window and exhibits lower hazard levels to eyes and skin while maintaining effective atmospheric transmission and target reflectance properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of laser radiation by selecting a wavelength that naturally exhibits lower biological hazard while maintaining effective sensing performance, thereby transforming a harmful factor into a beneficial safety feature
2Reliability
If conventional laser wavelengths (e.g., 1550nm) are used, then atmospheric transmission is good, but solar background interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects the 1290-1310nm wavelength band which coincides with an atmospheric transmission window, ensuring good atmospheric penetration while avoiding the strong solar background radiation regions, thus optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio
3Device complexity
If a single wavelength is used for LIDAR output, then the system structure is simple, but reflectance performance varies for different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wavelength spectrum into multiple discrete channels (e.g., 1290nm, 1300nm, 1310nm) that can be selectively activated, allowing the system to针对不同 materials optimize wavelength selection while maintaining overall system structural simplicity through shared hardware infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength selection capability where the LIDAR system can adaptively choose appropriate wavelengths from the available channels based on the target material characteristics, enabling optimized reflectance performance for different applications
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 FMCW LIDAR system effectively enhances safety and performance by reducing eye and skin exposure risks, minimizing solar interference, and improving data reliability across different materials, thereby expanding the range of applications for LIDAR technology.
Implementation Method 1
lasers are often the sources of the light signals used in LIDAR systems
Implementation Method 2
A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system
Implementation Method 3
The LIDAR input signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object
Data Source
AI summary
A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system has a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal with a wavelength between 1290 nm and 1310 nm. The LIDAR chip is also configured to receive a LIDAR input signal from off of the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR input signal including light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR chip is configured to generate a composite signal that includes light from a comparative light signal and light from a reference signal. The comparative signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal but the reference signal does not include light from the LIDAR output signal.