Vehicle Lidar Adaptive Beam Steering via Optical Phased Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lidar apparatuses for vehicles lack adaptive beam steering capabilities, limiting their ability to effectively detect objects in varying driving situations without motor rotation, especially in extreme conditions like high-speed scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A lidar apparatus configured with a processor that adjusts the angle of beam steering based on the vehicle's driving state, utilizing information such as vehicle attitude, location, and external objects, and employing optical phased arrays or optical switches to control the direction of transmission light, allowing adaptive control without motor rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lidar apparatuses use fixed beam steering angles, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering angles that automatically adjust based on vehicle driving conditions such as speed, steering angle, and acceleration. The processor determines appropriate beam steering angles in real-time according to the current driving state, enabling the lidar to adaptively focus on relevant detection areas without requiring complex mechanical structures or motor rotation.
2Area of stationary object
If motor rotation is used to change beam direction, then the detection range is improved, but the device complexity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor rotation system with an electronic control approach using optical phased arrays or optical switches. These components can rapidly change beam steering angles through electronic signals without physical rotation, achieving the same detection range expansion while eliminating motors, reducing mechanical complexity, and improving response time for beam direction changes.
3Measurement precision
If beam steering angle is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the detection precision in varying driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the beam steering angle parameter based on driving conditions such as vehicle speed, steering wheel angle, and acceleration. By adjusting this critical parameter in real-time, the lidar maintains high detection precision across varying driving scenarios without requiring complex additional sensors or processing systems, as the angle adjustment is calculated from existing vehicle state data.
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 flexible operation for both short and long-distance detection, enhancing safety and stability by adaptively adjusting the field of view and detection range according to the vehicle's situation, even without motor rotation, thus improving object detection in diverse driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The optical phased array may be configured to output a plurality of beams that were split by the optical splitter to an outside of the lidar apparatus in a state in which phases of the plurality of beams have been changed
Implementation Method 2
the optical guide unit may include a core that is composed of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon dioxide (SiO2), and that includes a cladding structure
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (lidar) apparatus for a vehicle may include: a transmission unit configured to output transmission light; a reception unit configured to receive reflection light that results from the transmission light being reflected by an object; and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to: based on a driving state of the vehicle, adjust an angle of beam steering of the transmission light.