LiDAR Chip Waveguide Layout for Low-Loss High-Power Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face limitations in output power due to high laser loss in silicon waveguides, which restricts the maximum power of the LiDAR system and hinders further improvements.
Innovation Solution
The LiDAR chip employs alternating laser transmission channels made of SiN waveguides and detection channels made of silicon waveguides, along with a polarization beam bias device to minimize laser loss and enhance output power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If silicon waveguides are used for laser transmission channels, then the LiDAR system can be miniaturized and integrated, but laser loss increases and output power decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveguide structure into two functional parts: SiN waveguides for laser transmission channels (prioritizing low loss) and silicon waveguides for detection channels (prioritizing integration). This segmentation allows each material to be used where it provides the greatest benefit, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and laser loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different locations within the chip: SiN material is used specifically in the laser transmission channel area where low loss is critical, while silicon material is used in the detection channel area where integration and miniaturization are prioritized. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If silicon waveguides are used for laser transmission, then integration is improved, but output power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the waveguide system into transmission and detection segments, assigning SiN material to the transmission segment for high power output and silicon material to the detection segment for easy integration. This segmentation enables both high output power and ease of manufacture to be achieved in their respective domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite waveguide structure combining SiN and silicon materials in a single integrated chip. The SiN layer provides low-loss laser transmission for high output power, while the silicon layer provides efficient detection and integration capabilities. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between integration and output power.
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 enables miniaturization of the LiDAR system while maintaining detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the N laser transmission channels adopts a SiN waveguide
Implementation Method 2
the N laser detection channels adopt silicon waveguides
Implementation Method 3
a light-transmitting end of an i-th laser transmission channel is configured to emit an i-th detection light beam
Implementation Method 4
a light-receiving end of the i-th laser detection channel is configured to receive the i-th reflected light beam
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a LiDAR chip and a LiDAR system. The chip includes: a substrate; N laser transmission channels to transmit N detection light beams, a light-transmitting end of i-th laser transmission channel is to emit i-th detection light beam, the detection light beams are respectively reflected after encountering an obstacle to generate N reflected light beams, i-th detection light beam corresponds to i-th reflected light beam, N and i are positive integers, N≥1, 1≤i≤N; and N laser detection channels corresponding to the N laser transmission channels in a one-to-one correspondence, to transmit the N reflected light beams, a light-receiving end of i-th laser detection channel is to receive the i-th reflected light beam, the laser transmission channels and the laser detection channels are arranged alternately, at least part of the laser transmission channels adopts a SiN waveguide, and the laser detection channels adopt silicon waveguides.