Lidar Receiver Dual-ADC Sampling for Near-Range Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems face challenges in achieving high resolution for near targets due to limitations in processing power and heat generation, making it difficult to increase sampling rates for improved resolution.
Innovation Solution
A lidar receiver with dual analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) operating at different sampling rates, combined with dual frequency filters, to generate high-resolution digital representations of near and far targets without increasing processing demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single high sampling rate ADC is used to improve near target resolution, then measurement precision for near targets is improved, but processing power requirements and heat generation increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the distance range into multiple segments (near targets and far targets) and processes each segment with a dedicated ADC operating at an optimized sampling rate. This segmentation allows near targets to be processed with high sampling rates for high resolution, while far targets use lower sampling rates, thereby reducing overall processing power consumption compared to processing all targets at high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using different sampling rates for different target ranges. Instead of applying excessive high sampling rates to all targets (which would waste processing power), the system applies high sampling rates only partially to near targets where high resolution is actually needed, while using lower sampling rates for far targets where high resolution is less critical.
2Measurement precision
If a single high sampling rate ADC is used to improve near target resolution, then measurement precision for near targets is improved, but heat generation increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the target detection task into multiple processing channels with different sampling rates. By dedicating only one ADC to high sampling rate operation for near targets, the system generates significantly less heat compared to running a single ADC at high sampling rate for all targets, thus managing thermal constraints while maintaining near target resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies high sampling rates partially only to the extent needed for near target resolution, avoiding excessive heat generation that would result from applying high sampling rates universally to all target ranges. This partial application of high sampling rates optimizes the balance between measurement precision and thermal management.
3Power
If dual ADCs operating at different sampling rates are used, then processing consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by dividing the frequency spectrum into different bands and assigning each band to a dedicated ADC. This segmentation approach, while increasing device complexity, enables processing consumption reduction by allowing each ADC to operate at optimized sampling rates for its specific frequency band, avoiding the need for a single high-power ADC to process all frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual ADC architecture provides multi-functionality where each ADC is specialized for specific frequency ranges and sampling rate requirements. This universality allows the receiver to handle multiple target ranges simultaneously with optimized processing, reducing overall power consumption despite the increased structural complexity of having multiple specialized components.
4Productivity
If dual frequency filters and dual ADCs are used to process different distance ranges concurrently, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing task by frequency and distance range, assigning different filter-ADC combinations to specific segments. This segmentation enables concurrent processing of multiple distance ranges, improving productivity, as each segment can be processed independently and simultaneously without interfering with other segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds dimensionality to the processing architecture by introducing multiple frequency domains and corresponding ADCs. This dimensional expansion allows concurrent processing across different frequency bands and distance ranges, significantly improving productivity despite the increased complexity of managing multiple filters and converters across different operational dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (lidar) receiver may include a first frequency filter to pass a first range of frequencies of an analog signal. The lidar receiver may include a second frequency filter to pass a second range of frequencies of the analog signal that is different from the first range of frequencies of the analog signal. The lidar receiver may include a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to derive a first digital signal based on the first range of frequencies of the analog signal using a first sampling rate. The lidar receiver may include a second ADC to derive a second digital signal based on the second range of frequencies of the analog signal using a second sampling rate that is different from the first sampling rate.