Individually Operable LED Lighting Units for LIDAR Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems require stable and high-current laser light sources, which pose complex technical requirements and are not suitable for integration into existing lighting sources like headlamps or flashlights, limiting their application and increasing costs due to the need for separate light sources.
Innovation Solution
A measuring system utilizing individually operable LED lighting units with small dimensions, allowing for high current density and fast light pulse generation, which can be used both for ambient lighting and distance measurement, eliminating the need for a separate laser source by leveraging existing lighting infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser light sources are used for LIDAR measurements, then measurement precision and bandwidth are improved, but device complexity and operating cost increase due to stable operation requirements and high current needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LED lighting units as a simplified copy or alternative to laser light sources. Instead of requiring complex laser systems with stable operation requirements, the invention employs readily available LED units that can be individually controlled to emit light pulses for LIDAR measurements, thereby achieving measurement functionality without the complexity of traditional laser systems
Solution Approach 2:
The LED lighting units serve dual purposes: they provide ambient lighting for the vehicle and simultaneously function as light sources for LIDAR measurements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated LIDAR light sources, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If separate laser light sources are used for LIDAR, then measurement functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The LED lighting units are designed to perform both ambient lighting and LIDAR measurement functions simultaneously. By making the lighting system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated LIDAR light sources, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing costs while maintaining full measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ambient lighting function and LIDAR measurement function into a single integrated system using the same LED lighting units. This consolidation combines previously separate functions into one system, reducing the total number of components needed and simplifying the overall vehicle lighting and measurement system architecture
3Speed
If LED lighting units with small dimensions are used, then bandwidth and pulse generation speed are improved, but current density requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the LED lighting units by controlling them to emit light pulses with durations of less than 10 nanoseconds. This parameter change in pulse width enables high bandwidth operation (over 100 MHz) and fast pulse generation suitable for LIDAR applications. The small physical dimensions of the LED units work in conjunction with these parameter changes to achieve the required performance
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
Enables high-bandwidth light pulse generation with pulse lengths of less than 10 ns, achieving a bandwidth of over 100 MHz, suitable for LIDAR applications, while integrating seamlessly into lighting sources for dual functionality without additional costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one individually operable light-emitting diode (LED) lighting unit (12)... which... is configured to emit at least one light pulse (11) as a sender signal
Implementation Method 2
a return signal (21), which comprises at least a part of the sender signal (11) reflected by an external object (9)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a measuring system (1), which comprises a sender unit (10) with at least one individually operable LED lighting unit (12) with a luminous area which has a characteristic longitudinal extent (107) of less than or equal to 100 μm and/or a surface area of less than or equal to 104 μm2, wherein the LED lighting unit (12) is configured to emit at least one light pulse as a sender signal (11) during operation, and comprises the one receiver unit (20) with at least one detector unit (22) for receiving a return signal (21), which comprises at least a part of the sender signal (11) reflected by an external object. Furthermore, use of at least one individually operable LED lighting unit as a sender unit in a measuring system, a method for operating a measuring system and a lighting source having a measuring system are provided.