Compact Ladar Sensor with Piezoelectric Focal Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D imaging technologies for personal use are often bulky, costly, and require mechanical scanners, which are high maintenance and heavy, limiting their application in compact, low-cost, and low-weight devices for obstacle avoidance and digital imagery creation in environments like dark, foggy, or smoke-filled areas.
Innovation Solution
A compact ladar sensor assembly featuring a semiconductor laser, diffusing optic, and an array of light-sensitive detectors with a readout integrated circuit and piezoelectric actuator for dynamic focal plane positioning, enabling 3D data generation with mechanical simplicity and high data rate in a low-weight, low-volume design suitable for personal electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical scanner is used in 3D imaging, then the imaging capability is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and high maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical scanner entirely from the system, extracting the scanning function and replacing it with a static focal plane array that captures all spatial information simultaneously. This eliminates the heavy, high-maintenance mechanical components while preserving 3D imaging capability through time-of-flight measurements across the entire field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical scanning system is replaced with an optical/electronic system using a focal plane array of detectors. Instead of mechanically moving a single detector or mirror, the system uses a stationary array that electronically captures depth information from all directions simultaneously, substituting mechanical motion with optical detection and electronic processing.
2Reliability
If a mechanical scanner is used in 3D imaging, then the imaging capability is achieved, but the device size and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bulky mechanical scanner subsystem, replacing it with a compact focal plane array that fits within a much smaller volume. The static detector array requires no scanning mechanisms, mirrors, or moving parts, dramatically reducing the overall device volume while maintaining full 3D imaging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a 1D scanning approach (single detector moving through space) to a 2D focal plane array that captures spatial information in two dimensions simultaneously. This dimensional change allows parallel detection across the entire field of view, eliminating the need for mechanical motion and reducing device volume.
3Productivity
If flash LADAR sensor is used, then data rate is increased, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into multiple independent detector elements arranged in a focal plane array. Each detector element processes depth information for a specific portion of the field of view, allowing parallel data acquisition that increases data rate. This segmented approach uses standard, mass-producible detector technologies rather than complex custom systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an array of identical, replicated detector elements rather than a single complex scanning detector. Each detector element is a copy of the same simple, well-understood technology, making the system easier to manufacture at scale while achieving high data rates through parallel operation of multiple copies.
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 provides a lightweight, low-cost, and mechanically simple 3D imaging capability for personal devices, enabling effective obstacle avoidance and digital imagery creation in challenging environments without the need for mechanical scanners, while maintaining high data rates and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piezoelectric actuator operatively connected to the lens for dynamically positioning a focal plane of the received modulated laser light on the array of light sensitive detectors
Implementation Method 2
An array of light sensitive detectors configured to receive the modulated laser light received by the lens, each of the light sensitive detectors with an output producing an electrical response signal from the reflected modulated laser light output
Implementation Method 3
a semiconductor laser configured to produce a modulated laser light
Data Source
AI summary
A dual mode ladar system includes a laser transmitter having a wavelength of operation and a modulator connected thereto to impose a modulation thereon. The modulator is configured to impose amplitude modulation and/or frequency modulation. Diffusing optics illuminate a field of view and an array of light sensitive detectors each produce an electrical response signal from a reflected portion of the laser light output.