LIDAR Diode Driver Using Residual Current for Pixel Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lidar systems face challenges in detecting defective pixels in illumination arrays without increasing power consumption or system complexity, as existing methods often require additional elements that consume extra power and increase cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A diode driver that recirculates residual current from operating current pulses in an inductor to generate diagnostic current pulses for measuring voltage drops across diode arrays, allowing defect detection without additional elements or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional elements are added to detect defective pixels in illumination arrays, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor serves dual purposes: it generates operating current pulses for the diode array and simultaneously generates diagnostic current pulses for defect detection. The system uses its own existing components (inductor, switches, capacitors) for both illumination operation and self-diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate dedicated diagnostic hardware elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor is designed to perform multiple functions: generating operating current pulses during normal illumination operation and generating diagnostic current pulses for detecting defective pixels. The same circuit components (inductor, switches, capacitors) are reused across different operational modes, making the diagnostic system universal rather than requiring separate dedicated components.
2Measurement precision
If additional elements are added to detect defective pixels in illumination arrays, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor serves dual purposes: it generates operating current pulses for the diode array and simultaneously generates diagnostic current pulses for defect detection. The system uses its own existing components (inductor, switches, capacitors) for both illumination operation and self-diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate dedicated diagnostic hardware elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the inductor's current after the operating pulse is delivered. Instead of dissipating the residual current in the inductor, it is recirculated to generate diagnostic current pulses, thereby recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted and using it for the diagnostic function.
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used to detect defective pixels, then reliability is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor serves dual purposes: it generates operating current pulses for the diode array and simultaneously generates diagnostic current pulses for defect detection. The system uses its own existing components (inductor, switches, capacitors) for both illumination operation and self-diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate dedicated diagnostic hardware elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures voltage drops across the diode array during diagnostic current pulse delivery and uses this feedback information to identify defective pixels. The voltage drop measurements provide real-time feedback about the health status of individual pixels, enabling reliable defect detection without complex external testing equipment.
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 method effectively identifies defective pixels by measuring voltage drops over time, reducing cost and complexity while maintaining power efficiency and system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a current pulse generator producing a diagnostic current pulse in an inductor from residual current from an operating current pulse recirculating in the inductor
Implementation Method 2
a voltage drop measurement device measuring a voltage drop resulting from delivery of the diagnostic current pulse to the portion of the array of diodes
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations described herein are related to a diode driver that recirculates residual current from an operating current pulse in an inductor. Such recirculation produces a diagnostic current pulse to a diode array for measuring a voltage drop across a portion of the array. For example, after a controller charges an inductor of a diode driver to deliver operating current pulses to a portion of a diode array for illumination, the controller causes a residual current to remain and recirculate in the inductor. In some implementations, in response to the recirculating current reaching a monitoring threshold, the controller delivers a monitoring pulse to the portion of the diode array to measure a voltage drop across the portion of the diode array. In some implementations, the controller may infer defectivity in the portion of the array from such voltage drop measurements over time.