LIDAR Beam Pattern Adjustment via Pivot Point Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FMCW LIDAR systems face inflexibility in adjusting optical beam positions, leading to unacceptable beam spacings and object detection issues due to assembly processes, material properties, and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a processor to measure and calculate an adjusted beam pattern with uniform spacing by adjusting components at a pivot point within the LIDAR system, allowing for dynamic re-adjustment based on point cloud analysis to form a beam pattern with substantially uniform spacing between optical beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple optical beams are used with a single output lens to achieve high frame rates and increased scanning points, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inflexibility in adjusting beam positions and non-uniform beam spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable mounting structures that allow dynamic repositioning of optical beams relative to the output lens. This enables the system to adapt beam positions to achieve uniform spacing while maintaining multiple beams for high frame rates, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the positional parameters of optical beams by providing adjustable mounting mechanisms. This allows changing the spatial arrangement of beams to achieve uniform spacing, thereby improving manufacturing precision without reducing the number of beams needed for high productivity.
2Device complexity
If optical beams are fixed in position based on assembly processes and material properties, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to object detection issues caused by non-uniform beam spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable mounting structures that allow dynamic repositioning of optical beams. This enables adaptation to achieve uniform beam spacing for reliable object detection, while the adjustment mechanisms are designed to be simple enough not to significantly increase device complexity.
3Device complexity
If a single output lens is used to collimate multiple optical beams, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to individually adjust each beam's position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam positioning function by providing individual adjustable mounting structures for each optical beam. This allows independent position control of each beam while using a single output lens for collimation, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable mounting structures that allow dynamic repositioning of optical beams relative to the output lens. This enables the system to adapt beam positions to achieve uniform spacing while maintaining multiple beams for high frame rates, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method receive a first beam pattern from an optical source that includes optical beams transmitted towards a target. The system and method measure a first vertical angle between at least two of the optical beams along a first axis relative to the FMCW LIDAR system. The system and method calculate a second beam pattern based on the first vertical angle and a pivot point. The second beam pattern produces a second vertical angle between the two optical beams. The system and method adjust one or more components from a first position that forms the first beam pattern to a second position that forms the second beam pattern for transmission towards the target. The system and method receive one or more return optical beams from the target, based on the second beam pattern, to produce a plurality of points to form the point cloud.