Integrated Photonics Air Data System for UAV Lidar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air data systems, such as lidar systems, face challenges with large size, weight, power consumption, and cost, making them impractical for smaller or more sensitive vehicles like urban air mobility vehicles, and require complex configurations with discrete optical components.
Innovation Solution
An integrated photonics chip with a laser source, tunable optical filters, emitting and receiving grating couplers, and a passive optical filter array is used to emit and process light beams, enabling time-multiplexed signal transmission and frequency spectrum decomposition for determining air data parameters, reducing system size, weight, and power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional lidar systems use discrete optical components to emit light beams and detect scattered light, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete optical components (laser sources, optical filters, grating couplers, detectors) into a single integrated photonics chip. The chip includes a first laser source, a second laser source, a first optical filter, a second optical filter, first and second grating couplers, and first and second detectors all integrated on one substrate, eliminating the need for separate discrete components while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated photonics chip performs multiple functions simultaneously: the first and second laser sources emit light beams for different measurement purposes, the optical filters selectively transmit specific wavelengths, the grating couplers direct light in different directions, and the detectors capture scattered light. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precision
2Measurement precision
If traditional lidar systems use multiple discrete optical components, then measurement capability is improved, but weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components into a single integrated photonics chip, significantly reducing the total weight. Instead of having separate laser sources, filters, and detectors that would individually weigh ounces, the integrated chip consolidates these functions into a single compact component, making the overall system lighter and more suitable for mobile applications
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional lidar systems use discrete optical components, then functional capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical components into a single chip, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. Instead of assembling multiple discrete components with precise alignment and separate packaging, the integrated approach allows for streamlined manufacturing processes, reducing labor and assembly costs while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated chip provides multi-functional capabilities (multiple laser sources, filters, grating couplers, detectors) within a single component, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This universality simplifies supply chain management and reduces overall system cost
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 enables a compact, efficient, and cost-effective air data system capable of determining air parameters with increased accuracy, suitable for both large and small vehicles, including urban air mobility vehicles, by leveraging microchip technology and reducing the need for multiple lasers.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source operatively coupled to the photonics substrate. The laser source is operative to emit a light beam
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of emitting grating couplers on the photonics substrate. Each emitting grating coupler is configured to emit the light beam received from the output of the respective tunable optical filter into a region of interest in different directions
Implementation Method 3
at least one receiving grating coupler on the photonics substrate, in which the receiving grating coupler is configured to receive scattered light from the region of interest
Implementation Method 4
The receiving grating coupler is configured to receive scattered light from the region of interest
Implementation Method 5
The passive optical filter array is operative to perform frequency spectrum decomposition of the received scattered light into a plurality of signals
Implementation Method 6
a passive optical filter array on the photonics substrate and in optical communication with the receiving grating coupler. The passive optical filter array comprises a plurality of optical notch filters operative for frequency selection
Implementation Method 7
a plurality of optical detectors each respectively coupled to an output of one of the optical notch filters. Each of the optical notch filters is configured to pass the received scattered light at a corresponding wavelength range to a respective one of the optical detectors
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relating to an integrated photonics air data system are disclosed. A light beam from a laser source is routed to a plurality of tunable optical filters operative to transmit the light beam to one of a plurality of emitting grating couplers at any given time. The tunable optical filters are configured such that the light beam is emitted into the region of interest at different times from each of the emitting grating couplers. A passive optical filter array is configured to receive scattered light from the emitted light beam. The passive optical filter array comprises a plurality of optical notch filters operative for frequency selection, and a plurality of optical detectors each respectively coupled to an output of one of the optical notch filters. The passive optical filter array is operative to perform frequency spectrum decomposition of the received scattered light into a plurality of signals.