Multi-Pass LIDAR Dynamic Voxel Probing for Range Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems face issues with speed, accuracy, and susceptibility to noise, particularly in determining the range and color contrast of targets due to limitations in scanning resolution and ambient light interference.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pass LIDAR system with synchronized time-selective triggered dynamic voxel probing, employing a fast scanner for coarse range determination followed by a slower scanner for refined resolution, and incorporating color determination through multiple scan passes with pulsed light and anticipatory activation of pixels to suppress ambient light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fast scanner is used for coarse range determination, then scanning speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning process into multiple passes: a fast coarse scan for initial range determination followed by slower refined scans for precision measurement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high speed in initial detection and high precision in final measurement, resolving the contradiction between scanning speed and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast coarse scan performs preliminary action by establishing initial range estimates before the refined scans occur. This preliminary detection guides subsequent high-precision measurements, allowing the system to quickly identify targets of interest and then apply precise measurement only where needed, thus maintaining both speed and precision.
2Measurement precision
If scanning resolution is increased to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but susceptibility to noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed illumination at specific wavelengths, with the detector synchronized to detect only during the pulse windows. This periodic action creates temporal separation between the active measurement periods and ambient light periods, allowing high-resolution detection while suppressing continuous ambient light interference through time-gated detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous scanning coverage while using pulsed illumination, ensuring that the detector is always ready to measure but only actively integrates signal during the pulsed windows. This continuity of the scanning action combined with periodic detection maintains measurement precision while the temporal gating continuously suppresses ambient light noise.
3Measurement precision
If multiple scan passes are performed for refined resolution and color determination, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement task into distinct functional passes: coarse range scanning, refined range scanning, and color determination scanning. Each pass is optimized for its specific function and can be selectively applied based on detection needs, improving overall productivity by avoiding unnecessary high-precision scanning for all targets while maintaining measurement precision for identified objects of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial scanning actions by applying refined scans and color determination only to regions or targets identified during the coarse scan, rather than uniformly applying high-precision scanning to the entire field of view. This partial action maintains measurement precision for critical targets while significantly improving productivity by reducing redundant high-cost scanning operations.
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
The system achieves high-resolution range and color contrast measurements with reduced noise and ambient light interference, enhancing accuracy and speed in determining object distances and colors.
Implementation Method 1
The systems may illuminate the remote object with electromagnetic waves, or light beams, emitted by the systems
Implementation Method 2
The systems may detect a portion of light beams that are reflected, or scattered, by the remote object
Implementation Method 3
The systems may detect a portion of light beams that are reflected, or scattered, by the remote object
Implementation Method 4
range determination systems may be employed to determine a range, a distance, a position and/or a trajectory of a remote object
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system includes a scanner; a receiver; and one or more processor devices to perform actions, including: scanning a continuous light beam over the field of view in a first scan pass; detecting photons of the continuous light beam that are reflected from one or more objects; determining a coarse range to the one or more objects based on times of departure of the photons of the continuous light beam and times of arrival of the photons at the receiver; scanning light pulses over the field of view in a second scan pass; detecting photons from the light pulses that are reflected from the one or more objects; and determining a refined range to the one or more objects based on times of departure of the photons of the light pulses and times of arrival of the photons at the receiver.