Lidar Scan Angle Expansion via Digital Micromirror Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lidar systems with mechanical components are complex, costly, and require maintenance, limiting their efficiency and reliability in achieving expanded scan angles for effective depth mapping.
Innovation Solution
The use of a digital micromirror device (DMD) in combination with optical elements to expand the scan angle, allowing for the generation of diffraction patterns that correct for aberrations and distortions, resulting in a more efficient and reliable lidar system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components are used to achieve expanded scan angles, then scan angle coverage is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning components (motors, rotating mirrors, moving parts) with a digital micromirror device (DMD) that uses electronically controlled micro-mirrors to achieve beam scanning. The DMD electronically deflects light beams across the field of view without any moving mechanical parts, thereby achieving expanded scan angles (30-100 degrees) while eliminating mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the DMD, specifically the tilt angles of the micro-mirrors, to achieve different scan angles. By adjusting the mirror tilt parameters electronically, the system can dynamically control the beam deflection angle and scan coverage without any mechanical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between scan angle adaptability and mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components are used for scanning, then scan angle expansion is achieved, but reliability decreases due to maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical scanning components that require maintenance and can fail, replacing them with a solid-state DMD that has no moving parts. The electronic control of micro-mirror tilts provides reliable scan angle expansion (30-100 degrees) without the reliability issues associated with mechanical wear, lubrication requirements, and mechanical failure modes.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional optics are used, then beam transmission is achieved, but beam divergence increases reducing depth mapping accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a negative optical element (diverging lens) as an intermediary component between the DMD and the target scene. This negative element works in conjunction with the DMD's micro-mirrors to control and reduce beam divergence. The negative optics act as a mediator that compensates for beam spreading, thereby improving depth mapping accuracy while maintaining proper beam transmission across the expanded scan angle range.
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 enables lidar systems to achieve scan angles between 30 to 100 degrees, reducing beam divergence and improving the accuracy and efficiency of depth mapping, while also eliminating the need for mechanical components, thus enhancing reliability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a positive optical element positioned to receive light from the illumination source and to output converging light
Implementation Method 2
a reflective element positioned to receive the converging light from the positive optical element, the reflective element configured to reflect the converging light to form a scan beam
Implementation Method 3
a negative optical element to receive the scan beam from the reflective element, the negative optical element configured to output the scan beam to a field of view
Data Source
AI summary
In described examples of a system for outputting a patterned light beam, the system includes: an illumination source; a positive optical element positioned to receive light from the illumination source and to output converging light; a reflective element positioned to receive the converging light from the positive optical element, the reflective element configured to reflect the converging light to form a scan beam; and a negative optical element to receive the scan beam from the reflective element, the negative optical element configured to output the scan beam to a field of view.