Variable Resolution LiDAR Beam Divergence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems provide uniform resolution across a target region, limiting the ability to achieve desired resolutions in specific areas, such as high resolution on a path and low resolution on the periphery, which can result in increased power consumption and reduced operating time for autonomous mobile platforms.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that vary the scan angle and divergence of a laser beam during scanning to change resolution within a target region, allowing for higher resolution in areas of interest and lower resolution in other areas without altering the frame rate, using a light source, scanning system, and focusing system to direct and adjust the laser beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uniform resolution is provided across the entire target region, then the resolution is consistent throughout, but the power consumption increases and operating time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different resolutions in different regions of the target area. High resolution is applied to regions of interest (ROI) where detailed measurement is needed, while lower resolution is applied to peripheral regions. This is achieved by adjusting the scanning parameters and beam divergence dynamically based on the spatial location, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining measurement precision where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The target region is segmented into multiple zones with different resolution requirements. The patent divides the field of view into regions of interest and non-critical regions, applying different scanning densities and beam parameters to each segment. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption by concentrating measurement resources only where high precision is needed.
2Area of stationary object
If the target region size is increased, then the coverage area expands, but the resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of beam divergence and scan angle throughout the scanning process. The beam divergence is varied to be smaller when scanning distant regions to maintain resolution, and larger when scanning near regions. The scan angle is also dynamically adjusted to concentrate more scanning lines in regions of interest while covering larger areas with fewer lines in peripheral regions, thus maintaining resolution across varying target region sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including beam divergence angle, scan angle, and pulse repetition frequency based on the current scanning position and target region requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can expand the target region coverage while maintaining desired resolution levels in critical areas through parameter optimization.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution is maintained throughout the entire scan, then detailed information is obtained everywhere, but the frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different scanning densities to different regions, providing high resolution only in regions of interest where detailed information is critical for navigation and obstacle detection. In non-critical peripheral regions, lower resolution scanning is used, which reduces the total number of scan lines required and thereby increases the frame rate while maintaining sufficient measurement quality for safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies excessive scanning density (high resolution) only partially to critical regions rather than uniformly across the entire field of view. This partial application of high-resolution scanning concentrates computational and temporal resources where they are most needed, allowing the system to achieve high frame rates while still obtaining detailed information in areas that matter most for autonomous navigation.
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 efficient scanning with varying resolutions, reducing power consumption and avoiding blind spots by maintaining a consistent frame rate while providing detailed information where needed, thus enhancing navigation and obstacle detection for autonomous platforms.
Implementation Method 1
A light source emits a laser beam during an operation of the light source
Implementation Method 2
The focusing system may set a divergence of the laser beam while scanning of the target region occurs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method and apparatus for scanning a target region (218). A divergence (230) of a laser beam (216) during scanning of the target region (218) is set. The laser beam (216) is directed to different locations (220) in the target region (218) at a scan angle (226). The scan angle (226) of the laser beam (216) is set while the laser beam (216) is directed to the different locations (220). Changing at least one of the divergence (230) or an amount of change in the scan angle (226) during scanning of the target region (218) changes a resolution (240) for the target region (218).