Focal Plane Array Light Blocking for Stray Light Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems in autonomous vehicles face accuracy and precision issues due to stray light interference, leading to false object detection and reduced object detection accuracy, which can impact safe navigation and control.
Innovation Solution
A photodetector with a microlens array (MLA) and photodiode array (PDA) components, where light blocking material is applied at the distal ends of the MLA and PDA to prevent stray light from entering, thereby reducing unwanted noise in the lidar point cloud output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light blocking material is applied to distal ends of MLA and PDA, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and addresses the stray light problem by applying light blocking material specifically to the distal ends of the MLA and PDA components. This targeted approach removes the harmful stray light interference without modifying the entire photodetector structure, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light blocking material is applied locally only at the distal ends of the optical components rather than uniformly across the entire photodetector. This local quality approach blocks stray light where it most affects performance while leaving other areas unchanged, resolving the contradiction between improving precision and maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If light blocking material is applied to distal ends of MLA and PDA, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking material is applied to the distal ends of the MLA and PDA during the manufacturing process before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures that stray light is blocked from the outset, improving reliability while allowing the manufacturing precision requirements to be managed during the fabrication stage rather than during operation.
3Loss of information
If light blocking material is applied to distal ends of MLA and PDA, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of stray light into a beneficial solution by applying light blocking material to the distal ends of the optical components. This transforms the stray light problem (harm) into an opportunity to improve signal accuracy (benefit) through a relatively simple modification, reducing information loss while minimizing the increase in device 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 improves the accuracy and precision of lidar systems by minimizing false object detections and enhancing navigation and collision avoidance capabilities in autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a microlens array (MLA) component
Implementation Method 2
a photodiode array (PDA) component
Implementation Method 3
light blocking material applied at a first distal end of the MLA component, and a second distal end of the MLA component
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a light blocking material may be applied to a photodetector comprising a microlens array (MLA) component and a photodiode array (PDA) component. The light blocking material may be applied to a first distal end of the MLA component and a second distal end of the MLA component.