LIDAR Beam Splitter Doubles Measuring Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR devices face a trade-off between resolution and scanning frequency when scanning a solid angle, as increasing resolution reduces scanning frequency and vice versa, and existing methods to improve resolution, such as interlaced scanning, are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating and deflecting at least two electromagnetic beams using a rotatable mirror, splitting them with a beam splitter or other optical elements to create adjacent scanning paths, allowing for increased resolution without reducing scanning frequency, and using a receiving optics to direct reflected beams to separate detector elements to prevent overexposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the distance between scanning paths is reduced to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but scanning frequency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single electromagnetic beam is segmented into multiple partial beams (at least two) using a beam splitter or other optical elements. Each partial beam scans a separate path, allowing multiple measurement points to be captured simultaneously during a single mirror rotation, thereby increasing resolution without reducing scanning frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single scanning dimension to multiple scanning dimensions by creating adjacent scanning paths through beam splitting. This allows the system to cover more angular ranges and achieve higher resolution by utilizing spatial distribution of multiple beams rather than relying solely on temporal sequencing
2Measurement precision
If additional scans are performed to cover gaps between scanning paths, then resolution is improved, but scanning frequency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic beam is continuously deflected through a full angular range using a rotatable mirror while simultaneously being split into multiple partial beams. This ensures continuous coverage of the solid angle without gaps, eliminating the need for additional interlaced scans and maintaining high scanning frequency
3Device complexity
If a single beam scans the entire solid angle, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A beam splitter or optical element is introduced as an intermediary component to divide the single electromagnetic beam into multiple partial beams. This allows the system to achieve higher resolution through multiple scanning paths while adding only one additional optical component, thus maintaining relatively low device complexity
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 doubles the measuring rate of a LIDAR device, maintaining or increasing scanning frequency while enhancing resolution, and improves eye safety by distributing light energy across multiple beams, allowing for a larger scanning range with reduced mechanical stress on the beam source.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam is usually deflected in a meandering manner... The at least one electromagnetic beam is generated and subsequently deflected about a horizontal angle and/or about a vertical angle with the aid of a rotatable or pivotable mirror
Implementation Method 2
The at least one electromagnetic beam is split into at least two partial beams having different solid angles with the aid of a diversification device, such as a beam splitter
Implementation Method 3
At least one reflected electromagnetic beam is received by a receiving optics that is pivotable synchronously with the mirror along the horizontal angle
Data Source
AI summary
A method for scanning solid angles is provided using at least two electromagnetic beams, at least one electromagnetic beam being generated that is subsequently deflected along a horizontal angle and/or along a vertical angle with the aid of a rotatable mirror; the solid angles being scanned using the at least one electromagnetic beam; and at least one reflected electromagnetic beam being received, after being reflected off an object, by a receiving optics that is pivotable along the horizontal angle synchronously with the mirror. Furthermore, a LIDAR device for carrying out the method is provided.