LIDAR Beam Alignment Optics for Precise Scan Pattern Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems face challenges in achieving high-resolution scan patterns due to angular separation tolerances and manufacturing imperfections, leading to irregular beam spacing and inaccurate scan data.
Innovation Solution
An optical alignment system adjusts optical beams using alignment optics and a control system to align each beam with a reference pattern, correcting angular errors and ensuring precise beam positioning before reaching the output lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple optical sources are placed in an array with a single output lens to achieve high frame rates and increased scanning points, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to critical angular separation tolerance between sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing beam alignment adjustments before the optical beams reach the output lens. The system uses alignment optics and a control system to detect beam positions and adjust them to match a reference pattern, ensuring that beams are properly aligned before they undergo angular separation at the lens. This pre-alignment compensates for manufacturing tolerances and prevents angular separation errors from degrading scan quality.
2Device complexity
If a single output lens is shared by multiple optical beams to reduce cost form factor, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to critical angular separation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a control system that detects the actual positions of optical beams on a sensor, compares them to a reference pattern, and generates adjustment signals to the alignment optics. This closed-loop feedback mechanism continuously monitors and corrects beam positions, compensating for angular separation variations caused by manufacturing tolerances in the shared output lens system, thereby maintaining high scan precision despite using a single lens.
3Ease of manufacture
If optical sources are positioned with fixed pitch in an array, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to compensate for positional variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the alignment of optical beams using controllable alignment optics (such as tilt tables or adjustable mirrors). Instead of relying on fixed mechanical positioning of optical sources, the system changes the angular parameters of the beams after emission, allowing compensation for manufacturing variations in source positions and pitches. This enables regular beam spacing at the output despite variations in the physical arrangement of optical sources.
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 enhances system performance by aligning optical beams to a desired pattern, reducing aberrations and angular errors, resulting in accurate and consistent scan data.
Implementation Method 1
a light detection sensor to detect a position of the first optical beam and the second optical beam relative to each other and to a reference pattern on a light detection sensor
Implementation Method 2
the alignment optics may include one or more optical components adjustable to shift each optical beam on the light detection sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a plurality of optical sources to generate a plurality of optical beams and at least one optical component adjustable to shift the plurality of optical beams to align with a reference output beam pattern prior to propagating to output scanning optics.