LiDAR Crosstalk Detection Using Segmented Receiving Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar sensors experience varying degrees of optical crosstalk due to scattering by protective glass and other optical elements, leading to reduced accuracy and potential false detections, particularly with highly reflective objects.
Innovation Solution
A method and lidar sensor design that separates light detection into two areas: one for low scattering and another for high scattering, using an evaluation unit to determine and compensate for optical crosstalk based on brightness values from adjacent pixels, optimizing signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single receiving area is used for detecting laser light, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to optical crosstalk from scattered light
Solution Approach 1:
The light detector is divided into multiple receiving areas (first receiving area for low scattering, second receiving area for high scattering) to separately detect different scattering components. This segmentation allows the system to measure and compensate for optical crosstalk by comparing signals from different regions, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex external calibration equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the detector are assigned different functions: the first receiving area detects primarily direct reflections, while the second receiving area detects scattered light components. This local differentiation enables the system to characterize and correct for optical crosstalk specific to each region, improving overall detection accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple integrated detector structure.
2Reliability
If protective glass is used in the lidar sensor, then the reliability of the sensor is improved, but optical crosstalk increases due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful scattering effect caused by protective glass into a useful measurement signal. By using the second receiving area to detect scattered light and comparing it with the first receiving area, the system characterizes the scattering introduced by the protective glass and uses this information to compensate for optical crosstalk, thereby maintaining both protection and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detector to continuously monitor scattered light levels and feeds this information back to adjust or correct the environmental detection results. This feedback mechanism allows real-time compensation for optical crosstalk caused by the protective glass, maintaining detection reliability despite the presence of scattering elements.
3Illumination intensity
If highly reflective objects are detected in the environment, then the useful signal strength is improved, but optical crosstalk increases due to increased scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the increased scattered light from highly reflective objects as a diagnostic signal. The second receiving area detects the scattering pattern caused by these objects, and this information is used to calculate and compensate for optical crosstalk, allowing the system to maintain accurate detection even when dealing with high-reflectivity targets that would otherwise cause excessive crosstalk.
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
Enhances the reliability of environmental detection by reducing interference from scattering, improving accuracy and reducing false detections.
Implementation Method 1
a signal from a light detector of the lidar sensor, representing components of the emitted laser light reflected or scattered in the environment of the lidar sensor, is received
Implementation Method 2
which can have a more or less pronounced effect depending on the reflectivity of objects in the environment... due to scattering of received light by a protective glass of the lidar sensors
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a method for ascertaining optical crosstalk of a lidar sensor (10), in particular a spatially resolved lidar sensor (10), and such a lidar sensor (10). The method comprises the following steps: transmitting a laser light from the lidar sensor (10) into an environment of the lidar sensor (10), receiving a signal from a light detector (20) of the lidar sensor (10) representing components of the laser light that are reflected or scattered in the environment of the lidar sensor (10), wherein the light detector (20) has a first reception range, the extent and position of which on the light detector (20) corresponds to an extent and position of the laser light mapped to the light detector (20) when a scatter of the laser light is equal to or less than a predefined threshold value, and wherein the light detector (20) has a second reception range, different from the first reception range, that is immediately adjacent to the first reception range and that is designed to capture components of the laser light that are mapped to the light detector (20) when the scatter of the laser light is greater than the predefined threshold value, and ascertaining information about an amount of the optical crosstalk of the lidar sensor (10) on the basis of the components of the laser light that are received in the second reception range.