LIDAR Beam Shaping for Accurate Vertical Angle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser beams used in LIDAR systems have circular or elliptical cross-sections, which limit their effectiveness in detecting objects with improved accuracy and reliability, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
The use of novel laser beams that are wide in one plane and narrow in a perpendicular plane, allowing for improved detection methods and apparatus, including rotatable hubs with multiple laser sources and induction motors, to create 3D digital images of the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional circular or elliptical laser beams are used in LIDAR systems, then the system structure is simple, but the detection accuracy and reliability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transforming the conventional circular or elliptical laser beam cross-section into a rectangular shape with different width and height dimensions. This asymmetric beam profile enables improved detection accuracy by providing distinct horizontal and vertical angular resolutions, allowing the LIDAR system to better resolve objects in different spatial dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by creating a laser beam with rectangular cross-section that has different dimensional characteristics in the horizontal and vertical planes. The beam width in the horizontal direction differs from its height in the vertical direction, enabling the system to achieve enhanced measurement precision by utilizing these distinct dimensional properties for improved object detection and characterization.
2Reliability
If conventional laser beams are used, then the device complexity is low, but detection reliability in adverse weather conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric rectangular beam profile improves detection reliability in adverse weather by providing enhanced vertical angular resolution through the beam's height dimension. This allows the system to better distinguish objects at different elevations and angles, maintaining reliable detection capability in challenging conditions such as rain, fog, or snow, while avoiding excessive system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the rectangular beam (beam height) to improve detection reliability in adverse weather conditions. By having a controlled vertical extent to the beam, the system can maintain better signal return and angular resolution when detecting objects through atmospheric interference, enhancing overall system reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If novel rectangular laser beams are used, then vertical angle determination accuracy is improved, but the complexity of beam generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric rectangular beam profile directly improves vertical angle determination accuracy by providing a well-defined vertical extent (beam height) that creates distinct angular resolution in the vertical plane. The beam's different width and height dimensions enable the system to accurately determine vertical angles while using standard LIDAR components, avoiding excessive complexity in the beam generation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves improved vertical angle determination by changing the geometric parameters of the laser beam cross-section from circular/elliptical to rectangular with specific width-to-height ratios. This parameter change in the beam profile enables enhanced vertical angular resolution through the beam's vertical dimension, while the beam shaping can be accomplished using conventional optical elements without significantly increasing system 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 enhances the accuracy of vertical angle determination of detected objects, improves detection reliability in adverse weather, and allows for the creation of detailed 3D digital images of the environment.
Implementation Method 1
A laser source is provided which generates a laser beam having a rectangular cross-section which is wide in one plane and narrow in a perpendicular plane to the direction of propagation of the beam
Implementation Method 2
The laser beam is used in a LIDAR system for detecting objects
Data Source
AI summary
A lidar method and apparatus which makes use of two or more novel laser beams, each of the beams being wide in a first plane and narrow in a plane at right angles to the first plane. A novel communication system that can be used in the apparatus. A novel induction motor that can be used in the apparatus.