LiDAR Transceiver and ADC Sharing for Low-Complexity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar sensor systems face challenges in efficiently sharing limited hardware resources, particularly analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and there is a need for a chip-scale package solution to optimize resource allocation in photonic integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
A lidar system with a transceiver module that alternately turns on a laser source and optical components, paired with ADCs, to generate and process optical and electrical signals, enabling efficient sharing of hardware resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transceivers are used to improve detection capabilities, then detection precision and coverage are improved, but hardware resource consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transceivers are merged into a single integrated transceiver module that can perform functions of multiple transceivers through time-division multiplexing and signal processing, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated transceiver is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle multiple transceiver functions within a single device, allowing it to serve multiple detection purposes without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function
2Productivity
If ADC resources are increased to improve signal processing capability, then data processing efficiency is improved, but hardware cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling and time-division multiplexing of ADC resources, where a single ADC or limited number of ADCs are shared across multiple transceiver channels by alternating their operation in time slots, maintaining data processing efficiency while reducing the total quantity of ADC hardware required
Solution Approach 2:
Digital copies of signals are created and processed through virtual channels in the digital domain, allowing multiple signal processing paths to be implemented using a single physical ADC, effectively decoupling processing capability from hardware quantity
3Duration of action of moving object
If continuous operation of laser source and optical components is maintained to improve detection continuity, then detection coverage is improved, but energy consumption and thermal interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser source and optical components operate in periodic pulsed mode rather than continuous operation, with duty cycles optimized to maintain detection continuity across multiple pulses while significantly reducing average power consumption and thermal buildup, allowing the system to recover between pulses
Solution Approach 2:
Although individual components operate intermittently, the system maintains continuous detection capability through rapid sequential scanning and signal integration across multiple pulses, creating the effect of continuous useful action while allowing components to rest between operational cycles
4Device complexity
If hardware resources are shared among multiple circuit modules to reduce system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but resource contention and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
Shared hardware resources are allocated to different circuit modules through time-division multiplexing, where each module receives dedicated access to shared resources (such as ADCs, lasers, or detectors) in alternating time slots, eliminating simultaneous access conflicts and reducing interference while maintaining low system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A central control unit or arbitration mechanism acts as an intermediary to manage resource allocation and coordinate access to shared hardware resources among multiple circuit modules, preventing direct interference by mediating resource requests and ensuring orderly sequential access
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
This approach allows for optimized use of hardware resources, reducing interference and improving data processing efficiency, leading to enhanced detection capabilities and safer autonomous vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source configured to generate a beam
Implementation Method 2
receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, and pair the returned optical signal with the LO signal to generate an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (lidar) system may include a transceiver, a first device including a laser source configured to generate a beam, and one or more optical components, a second device including one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and a processor configured to alternately turn on the first device and turn on the transceiver. The first device may be configured to generate, based on the beam, an optical signal associated with a local oscillator (LO) signal. The transceiver may be configured to transmit the optical signal to an environment, in response to transmitting the optical signal, receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, and pair the returned optical signal with the LO signal to generate an electrical signal. The second device may be configured to generate, based on the electrical signal, a digital signal.