Hyper-Resolved Scanned LIDAR Sub-Pixel Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems face issues with speed, accuracy, and susceptibility to noise in determining the range and position of remote objects, particularly when the resolution of the detected light reflections is limited by the pixel array used.
Innovation Solution
A hyper-resolved LIDAR system that scans with a narrow blade of illumination across the field of view, using a laser diode bar device to emit a collimated beam, and employs a scan mirror to sweep the beam across the field, allowing for fractional increments in timing and direction to match the expected direction of reflected laser pulses, thereby achieving higher resolution than the pixel array's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional LIDAR system uses a pixel array to detect light reflections, then the system can determine range and position of remote objects, but the resolution is limited by the pixel array capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination into multiple narrow blades, each scanned across the field of view. By dividing the illumination into discrete blades and scanning them sequentially, the system achieves hyper-resolution beyond the pixel array's native resolution. Each blade can be precisely positioned and timed, allowing sub-pixel resolution through temporal sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to the spatial detection by scanning narrow illumination blades sequentially across the field of view. By introducing temporal sequencing of blade scans and correlating timing with expected reflection directions, the system achieves resolution in excess of the pixel array's spatial resolution, effectively adding a temporal dimension to overcome spatial pixel limitations.
2Measurement precision
If the LIDAR system scans with narrow blades across the field of view, then the resolution exceeds pixel array capabilities, but the scanning speed and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic scanning of narrow illumination blades across the field of view, with each blade scanned in rapid succession. By using periodic scanning at high repetition rates and correlating the timing of reflected photons with the expected scan positions, the system achieves hyper-resolution while maintaining practical scanning speeds through efficient temporal sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary scanning of narrow illumination blades across the field of view before full 3D reconstruction. By pre-scanning with timed blades and establishing expected reflection timing and positions in advance, the system can process returns more efficiently, reducing overall latency while achieving hyper-resolution through the preliminary temporal-spatial mapping.
3Measurement precision
If the LIDAR system uses narrow illumination blades with fractional timing increments, then the temporal accuracy improves to sub-microsecond levels, but the susceptibility to noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by correlating the timing of detected reflected photons with the expected timing from the predetermined scan trajectory of the illumination blades. By comparing actual photon arrival times with predicted times based on the known blade scan positions and speeds, the system can distinguish true reflections from noise, achieving sub-microsecond temporal accuracy while suppressing noise through this temporal correlation feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from spatial-only detection to spatio-temporal detection by scanning narrow blades with precise fractional timing increments. By adding the temporal dimension with sub-microsecond timing precision and correlating photon arrivals with expected temporal positions, the system achieves enhanced resolution and noise rejection, as noise lacks the coherent temporal-spatial signature of true reflections.
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 achieves high-definition 3D imaging with sub-microsecond latency and temporal accuracy, capable of observing the world in constant motion with resolutions equivalent to 2K or 4K frames per second, providing precise voxel positions and color contrast down to 0.01 degrees.
Implementation Method 1
A hyper-resolved LIDAR system that scans with a narrow blade of illumination across the field of view, using a laser diode bar device to emit a collimated beam
Implementation Method 2
employs a scan mirror to sweep the beam across the field
Implementation Method 3
determine a range, a distance, a position and/or a trajectory of a remote object... capable of observing the world in constant motion with resolutions equivalent to 2K or 4K frames per second, providing precise voxel positions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed toward a scanning LIDAR system that measures a distance to a target that reflects light from a transmitter to a receiver. A light transmitter is arranged to scan pulses of light that reflect off a remote surface (target) and illuminate fractions of the Field of View (FoV) of a receiver, such as a camera. These fractions of the FoV are smaller than a resolution provided by an array of pixels used to detect Time of Flight (ToF) reflections of the scanned pulses of light from a remote surface. The exemplary scanning LIDAR system may resolve an image of the remote surface at substantially higher resolution than the pixel resolution provided by its receiver.