FMCW LiDAR ADC Sharing Across Non-Adjacent Receiving Waveguides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current FMCW LiDAR systems require multiple analog-to-digital converters for each receiving waveguide, leading to high hardware costs and potential crosstalk noise issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a configuration where at least two non-adjacent waveguides in the receiving waveguide array share a single analog-to-digital converter, reducing the number of converters and minimizing crosstalk noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each receiving waveguide is individually connected to a separate analog-to-digital converter, then the signal acquisition capability is improved, but the hardware cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signal processing paths by having multiple receiving waveguides (specifically non-adjacent ones) share a common analog-to-digital converter. This combining approach reduces the total number of ADCs needed while maintaining the ability to process signals from multiple waveguides, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shared analog-to-digital converter is designed to handle signals from multiple receiving waveguides, making it a universal component that performs the same function for different input sources. This multi-functionality allows one ADC to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated ADCs, reducing hardware complexity while preserving signal acquisition capabilities
2Productivity
If multiple analog-to-digital converters are used for each receiving waveguide, then the signal processing capability is improved, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the signal processing capability into shared ADC resources, the system maintains adequate signal processing capacity while reducing the quantity of expensive ADC components required. Non-adjacent waveguides share ADCs in a manner that preserves processing capability while cutting hardware costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses signal copying techniques where the shared ADC processes signals from multiple waveguides sequentially or through time-division multiplexing, creating virtual copies of the conversion function without requiring physical copies of the ADC hardware for each waveguide
3Device complexity
If adjacent waveguides share the same analog-to-digital converter, then the hardware cost is reduced, but crosstalk noise increases due to overlapping frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by specifically designing the sharing arrangement to pair non-adjacent waveguides rather than adjacent ones. This asymmetric configuration avoids the frequency band overlap issues that would arise with adjacent waveguides, thereby reducing crosstalk noise while still achieving hardware cost reduction through sharing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of frequency band overlap into a benefit by deliberately selecting non-adjacent waveguides for sharing. This selection strategy transforms what would be a harmful configuration (adjacent waveguide sharing with overlap) into a beneficial one (non-adjacent sharing without overlap), eliminating crosstalk while maintaining hardware efficiency
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 decreases hardware costs and improves signal-to-noise ratio by avoiding overlapping frequency bands and reducing the complexity of signal processing, thereby enhancing the performance of the LiDAR system.
Implementation Method 1
at least three photoelectric detection modules connected downstream of the receiving waveguides, configured to receive a local-oscillator light and the echo light output via the receiving waveguides, to generate a corresponding beat frequency signal
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application relates to the technical fields of optical signal processing and optical devices, providing a LiDAR and a movable device. The LiDAR comprises a receiving waveguide array, at least three photoelectric detection modules, at least three signal processing modules, and at least two analog-to-digital conversion modules. Since at least one of the analog-to-digital conversion modules is connected to the signal processing modules corresponding to at least two receiving waveguides that are not adjacent in the receiving waveguide array, there is no need to set up a digital-to-analog converter for each receiving waveguide, avoiding technical issues such as excessive number of converters and large data volume, while reducing the problem of crosstalk noise from bypass waveguides, thereby improving the performance of the LiDAR.