LiDAR Chip Segmentation for Lower Laser Transmission Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face limitations in output power due to high laser transmission loss in silicon waveguides, particularly in active devices, which restricts the maximum output power and data quality, especially in Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) systems.
Innovation Solution
The LiDAR system comprises independent transmitting and receiving chips, where the transmitting chip uses SiN or SiO2 waveguides or optical fiber arrays, and the receiving chip includes active components, reducing laser loss and enhancing output power by employing silicon waveguides for detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If silicon waveguides are used in active devices for LiDAR systems, then device integration is achieved, but laser transmission loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LiDAR system into separate transmitting and receiving chips, each with dedicated waveguide paths. The transmitting chip uses SiN or SiO2 waveguides for low-loss laser transmission, while the receiving chip uses silicon waveguides for detection functionality. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between integration and transmission loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite waveguide structure combining different materials (SiN, SiO2, and silicon) in different parts of the system. The transmitting chip uses SiN or SiO2 waveguides with lower laser transmission loss, while the receiving chip uses silicon waveguides for their excellent detection properties. This material composition optimizes both transmission efficiency and detection performance.
2Power
If high laser power is transmitted through silicon waveguides, then output power increases, but transmission loss and heat generation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the transmitting and receiving functions into different chips with dedicated waveguide paths, the system can transmit high power through SiN or SiO2 waveguides in the transmitting chip without the heat generation and loss problems of silicon waveguides. The receiving chip then detects the returned light with its silicon waveguide structures, achieving high output power with controlled transmission loss.
3Device complexity
If active devices are integrated on a single chip, then device complexity is reduced, but laser loss in transmission channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LiDAR system into separate transmitting and receiving chips, each with optimized waveguide structures. The transmitting chip focuses on low-loss laser transmission using SiN or SiO2 waveguides, while the receiving chip handles detection with silicon waveguides. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while minimizing laser loss in transmission channels.
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 configuration reduces detection laser loss, improves output power, and enhances data quality by utilizing SiN or SiO2 waveguides and optical fiber arrays, thereby improving the performance of FMCW LiDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one part of the N laser transmission channels adopts at least one of a SiN waveguide, a SiO2 waveguide, or an optical fiber array
Implementation Method 2
at least one part of the N laser transmission channels adopts at least one of a SiN waveguide, a SiO2 waveguide, or an optical fiber array
Implementation Method 3
a mixer configured to receive the i-th local oscillation light beam and the i-th reflected light beam, and perform a frequency-mixing operation on the i-th local oscillation light beam and the i-th reflected light beam
Implementation Method 4
a detector configured to receive the frequency-mixed beam and detect a beat frequency between the i-th local oscillation light beam and the i-th reflected light beam
Implementation Method 5
a first beam splitter, disposed between the detection laser receiving port and the N laser transmission channels, and configured to split the detection laser into the N detection light beams
Implementation Method 6
a lens assembly configured to collimate and deflect a detection light beam emitted by the light-transmitting end of the i-th laser transmission channel, and perform focusing on the i-th reflected light beam
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a LiDAR system which includes: a transmitting chip, having N transmission channels configured to transmit N detection beams, each transmission channel has one transmitting end, transmitting end of an i-th transmission channel is configured to emit an i-th detection beam, N detection beams are respectively reflected by an obstacle to generate N reflected beams, i-th detection beam corresponds to an i-th reflected beam, N and i are positive integers, N≥1, 1≤i≤N; a receiving chip, having N detection channels corresponding to N transmission channels, configured to transmit N reflected beams, each detection channel has one receiving end, a receiving end of i-th detection channel is configured to receive i-th reflected beam, at least part of N transmission channels adopts at least one of a SiN waveguide, a SiO2 waveguide, or an optical fiber array, the detection channels adopt a silicon waveguide.