LiDAR Dual Transmit Receive Optical System with Common Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR systems face challenges in efficiently combining and separating laser pulses of different wavelengths and amplitudes for dynamic scanning patterns, particularly in achieving accurate distance measurements across varying ranges with acceptable manufacturing risk and eye safety margins.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual transmit and receive system with a common optical path, utilizing scanning mirrors, micro electro-mechanical (MEMS) mirrors, and single photon-avalanche detectors (SPADs), along with optical filters, to combine and separate laser pulses based on polarization states, allowing for dynamic adjustment of pulse transmission timing and scanning patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If laser pulses of different wavelengths and amplitudes are transmitted through separate optical paths, then the system can maintain simple pulse transmission, but the system cannot efficiently combine and separate pulses for dynamic scanning patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser pulse transmissions into a single common optical path, merging previously separate transmission channels. This allows efficient combination and separation of pulses with different wavelengths and amplitudes while enabling dynamic scanning patterns, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic adjustment of pulse transmission timing and scanning patterns through controllable components in the common optical path. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different scanning requirements while maintaining a unified optical architecture, addressing the need for versatility without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If the entrance pupil size is increased to improve photon collection, then the field of view decreases and the system becomes less suitable for medium range applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the entrance pupil diameter to a specific range (10-15mm) that balances photon collection capability with field of view requirements for medium-range applications. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal value that satisfies both detection probability and adaptability requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the F-number is decreased to improve light gathering capability, then the depth of field decreases and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system sets the F-number to 1.6 or less, optimizing the balance between light gathering capability and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter selection improves photon detection efficiency while maintaining acceptable manufacturing precision requirements for optical components.
4Reliability
If multiple laser transmitters are used to cover different ranges, then the system achieves extended detection range, but the system cannot efficiently combine and separate the laser pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser transmitter outputs into a single common optical path, enabling efficient combination and separation of pulses with different wavelengths and amplitudes. This approach maintains extended detection range capability while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to separate optical paths.
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 enhances the probability of positive photon events, enabling accurate distance measurements across short, medium, and long ranges with improved manufacturing risk management and eye safety, while allowing for flexible scanning patterns and increased data resolution.
Implementation Method 1
The optical system may include five refractive lens elements arranged in order from a first lens element on an object side of the optical system to a last lens element on an image side of the optical system
Implementation Method 2
The optical system may include an optical bandpass filter
Implementation Method 3
single photon-avalanche detectors (SPADs) for counting single photoelectron events
Implementation Method 4
light ranging and detection (LiDAR), can provide high resolution environmental data, such as depth maps, which may indicate the proximity of different objects to the LiDAR
Data Source
AI summary
Optical systems that may, for example, be used in light ranging and detection (LiDAR) applications, for example in systems that implement combining laser pulse transmission in LiDAR and that include dual transmit and receive systems. Receiver components of a dual receiver system in LiDAR applications may include a medium range (50 meters or less) receiver optical system with a medium entrance pupil and small F-number and with a medium to wide field of view. The optical system may utilize optical filters, scanning mirrors, and a nominal one-dimensional SPAD (or SPADs) to increase the probability of positive photon events.