LiDAR Detector Array with Bidirectional Bus Gating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR technologies face challenges in increasing detection unit density due to limitations in reducing metal wire spacing, which hinders the improvement of resolution and density of detection units, leading to obstacles in achieving higher resolution applications.
Innovation Solution
A detector array design that groups detection units into groups connected by anode and cathode buses, allowing for bidirectional gating, reducing the number of driving channels and pads, and enabling denser arrangement of detection units while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If detection units are arranged in a denser manner to improve LiDAR resolution, then the number of detection units per space increases, but the line spacing of metal wires cannot be reduced below 300 μm due to existing processing technology, which limits further density improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection units into multiple groups (detection-unit groups), where each group shares common anode buses. This segmentation allows the cathode connections to be shared across groups, reducing the total number of metal wire connections required and enabling denser arrangement of detection units without proportionally increasing wiring complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cathode connections of multiple detection units by having cathode buses serve multiple detection-unit groups. Each cathode bus connects detection units from at least two different groups, combining multiple connection paths into shared buses. This merging reduces the total number of metal wires needed, allowing detection units to be arranged more densely while maintaining manufacturable wire spacing
2Ease of operation
If each detection unit is provided with a separate control circuit to meet gating requirements, then the gating control capability is maintained, but the device complexity and space requirements increase, hindering denser arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions by implementing bidirectional gating where anode buses and cathode buses work together to control multiple detection units. Instead of separate control circuits for each detection unit, the system uses combined anode-cathode gating where the intersection of gated anode bus and gated cathode bus determines which detection unit is active. This merging of control functions maintains full gating capability while dramatically reducing the number of control circuits needed
Solution Approach 2:
The anode buses and cathode buses serve multiple functions: they simultaneously provide electrical connections, gating control, and signal routing for multiple detection units. Each bus is designed to work with multiple other buses, creating a universal control structure where the same physical buses can control different detection units at different times through bidirectional gating
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 proposed design allows for a higher density of detection units within the same space, improving LiDAR resolution by enabling more detection units per area, thus enhancing the number of lines of view and meeting higher resolution requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the detection unit can receive an optical signal when the anode bus and cathode bus to which it is connected are simultaneously gated, and convert the optical signal into an electrical signal for output
Data Source
AI summary
A detector array, a LiDAR, and a detector array control method are provided. The detector array includes: a plurality of detector units being divided into a plurality of detector unit groups; a plurality of anode buses, each of which connecting a plurality of detection units in a same detector unit group, and a number of the anode buses corresponding to a number of the detector unit groups; and a plurality of cathode buses, each of which connecting a plurality of detector units in at least two detector unit groups of the plurality of detector unit groups, and the plurality of detector units in a same detector unit group being connected to different cathode buses. A detector unit receives an optical signal when both its anode bus and cathode bus are activated, and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal for output.