LiDAR Transmitter Beam Shifter for Power Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR systems face challenges in combining laser beams from multiple diodes at desired elevations, leading to difficulties in achieving high-resolution mapping and precise time-of-flight measurements due to mechanical complexity and cost issues in synchronizing high-speed, short-pulsed laser beams.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a beam shifter in the LiDAR transmitter, which vertically shifts laser beams emitted by single-emitter pulse laser diodes to desired elevations before combining, allowing for cost-effective power combining with minimized power loss and improved synchronization of laser beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple laser diodes are spatially placed apart to meet output power requirement, then power combining capability is improved, but device complexity and synchronization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam shifter that displaces laser beams in the vertical dimension (elevation direction) while keeping all laser diodes on the same horizontal plane. This dimensional approach allows spatial separation for power combining without requiring complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms, as the beam shifting is achieved through optical path manipulation rather than mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam shifter acts as an intermediary component between the laser diodes and the beam combining optics. It mediates the spatial positioning by shifting beams to appropriate elevations, enabling simple horizontal placement of laser diodes while achieving the necessary vertical separation for effective power combining without direct mechanical coordination.
2Power
If laser beams are transmitted at different elevations for power combining, then power combining efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning and alignment mechanisms with an optical beam shifting approach. Instead of mechanically adjusting the positions of laser diodes or combining optics to achieve different elevations, the beam shifter uses optical path manipulation to achieve the same effect, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and simplifying alignment procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If beam shifter is used to shift laser beams to desired elevations, then manufacturing cost and alignment complexity are reduced, but additional optical components are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The beam shifter is designed to perform multiple functions: it shifts beams to correct elevations for power combining, maintains beam parallelism, and works with various laser diode configurations. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the optical component by eliminating the need for multiple separate adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall system design.
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 solution enables efficient and precise power combining of laser beams, enhancing the resolution and accuracy of LiDAR systems by allowing single-emitter pulse laser diodes to be placed on a single elevation, reducing manufacturing costs and improving time-of-flight measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The light collimator is configured to collimate the native laser beam to form an input laser beam transmitting along a lateral direction
Implementation Method 2
The beam shifter is configured to shift the input laser beam along a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral direction by a displacement to form an output laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide transmitters for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The transmitter includes a laser source, a light collimator, and a beam shifter. The laser source is configured to provide a native laser beam. The light collimator is configured to collimate the native laser beam to form an input laser beam transmitting along a lateral direction. The beam shifter is configured to shift the input laser beam along a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral direction by a displacement to form an output laser beam. The output laser beam and the input laser beam are parallel to each other.