LiDAR Device Time-Division Beam Splitting and Lens Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving high-speed operation while maintaining resolution due to crosstalk from light emitted at adjacent positions and increased complexity in processing circuits and manufacturing processes as the number of pixels increases.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR device with a simple structure that employs a light transmitter to generate and split beams into sub-beams, which are transmitted at different times, and a light receiver with a movable driving lens to focus reflected sub-beams on photodetection pixels, allowing for time-division driving and synchronization of lens movement to improve processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of pixels of a receiver is increased to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target region is divided into multiple subregions, and each subregion is scanned sequentially using a single pixel receiver. This segmentation approach allows high-resolution imaging without requiring a large number of pixels, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic scanning of different subregions in a time-division manner. By sequentially directing light to different subregions and receiving reflected light in a periodic sequence, the system achieves high-resolution imaging with a single pixel, avoiding the need for complex multi-pixel circuits and manufacturing processes.
2Productivity
If an area of the subject is scanned at a high speed to detect 3D image at high speed, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to crosstalk from light emitted at adjacent positions
Solution Approach 1:
The target area is segmented into multiple subregions that are scanned sequentially rather than simultaneously. This segmentation eliminates crosstalk between adjacent positions by ensuring that only one subregion is illuminated at a time, while maintaining high scanning speed through rapid sequential transitions between subregions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning where each subregion is illuminated in a time-division sequence. By periodically directing light to different subregions and receiving reflected light in a corresponding sequence, the system achieves high-speed 3D imaging without crosstalk, as each subregion is scanned during its designated time window.
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
Enables high-speed operation with reduced crosstalk and complexity by dividing light into multiple sub-beams and synchronizing lens movement with beam transmission, enhancing the ability to detect 3D images without the need for complex pixel alignment and increased manufacturing difficulty.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photodetection pixels, each of which includes a photodetection element and a circuit element configured to process an output signal of the photodetection element
Implementation Method 2
a driving lens that is located on each of the plurality of photodetection pixels and configured to move to focus the plurality of sub-beams that are reflected from the plurality of subregions of the target region, on the photodetection element
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device includes: a light transmitter that generates a plurality of beams to be transmitted at different times, respectively; and splits each of the plurality of beams into a plurality of sub-beams and transmit the plurality of sub-beams to a plurality of subregions of a target region at each of the different times; a light receiver including: a plurality of photodetection pixels, each of which includes a photodetection element and a circuit element configured to process an output signal of the photodetection element; and a driving lens that is located on each of the plurality of photodetection pixels and moves to focus the plurality of sub-beams that are reflected from the plurality of subregions of the target region, on the photodetection element; and a processor that performs time-division driving on the light transmitter and control a movement of the driving lens.