LiDAR Echo Signal Fusion Using Phase-Shifted Receiving Subunits

Solution Overview

Problem

LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving precise measurements due to echo saturation with high-reflectivity objects and weak echo intensity with low-reflectivity objects, limiting the dynamic range of echo signals in the time domain.

Innovation Solution

The method involves phase shifting the level state signals from photosensitive subunits with different phase shift times, followed by data fusion and optional interpolation, to expand the dynamic range of echo signals and improve measurement precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single photosensitive subunit is used for echo signal detection, then the device structure is simple, but the dynamic range of the echo signal in the time domain is limited, resulting in poor measurement precision for both near/high-reflectivity objects and far/low-reflectivity objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photosensitive receiving array is divided into multiple photosensitive subunits (first photosensitive subunit and second photosensitive subunit), each with different photon detection efficiencies. This segmentation allows the system to handle different signal intensity ranges separately, expanding the dynamic range and improving measurement precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different photosensitive subunits are assigned different photon detection efficiencies tailored to specific detection needs. The first subunit with higher PDE is optimized for detecting weak echoes from far objects, while the second subunit with lower PDE is optimized for detecting strong echoes from near objects, achieving local optimization of detection quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the photon detection efficiency of the photosensitive subunit is increased to detect weak echo signals from far objects, then the detection sensitivity for far objects is improved, but echo saturation occurs when detecting near objects or high-reflectivity objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidecho saturation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different photosensitive subunits are assigned different photon detection efficiencies tailored to specific detection needs. The first subunit with higher PDE is optimized for detecting weak echoes from far objects, while the second subunit with lower PDE is optimized for detecting strong echoes from near objects, achieving local optimization of detection quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The photosensitive receiving array is divided into multiple photosensitive subunits (first photosensitive subunit and second photosensitive subunit), each with different photon detection efficiencies. This segmentation allows the system to handle different signal intensity ranges separately, expanding the dynamic range and improving measurement precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the photon detection efficiency of the photosensitive subunit is decreased to avoid echo saturation with high-reflectivity objects, then the dynamic range is extended, but the measurement precision for far objects or low-reflectivity objects deteriorates due to weak echo intensity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic rangeVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The photosensitive receiving array is divided into multiple photosensitive subunits (first photosensitive subunit and second photosensitive subunit), each with different photon detection efficiencies. This segmentation allows the system to handle different signal intensity ranges separately, expanding the dynamic range and improving measurement precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different photosensitive subunits are assigned different photon detection efficiencies tailored to specific detection needs. The first subunit with higher PDE is optimized for detecting weak echoes from far objects, while the second subunit with lower PDE is optimized for detecting strong echoes from near objects, achieving local optimization of detection quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If multiple photosensitive subunits with different photon detection efficiencies are used to expand the dynamic range, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photosensitive receiving array is divided into multiple photosensitive subunits (first photosensitive subunit and second photosensitive subunit), each with different photon detection efficiencies. This segmentation allows the system to handle different signal intensity ranges separately, expanding the dynamic range and improving measurement precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The level state signals from multiple photosensitive subunits are merged through signal fusion after phase shifting. The processing unit combines the signals from the first and second photosensitive subunits to generate the target echo signal, achieving synergistic effect that improves measurement precision while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enhances the dynamic range of echo signals in the time domain, leading to improved measurement accuracy of LiDAR systems by increasing the sampling number and reducing the impact of echo saturation and weak echo intensity.

Implementation Method 1

performing phase shift on the level state signal according to a phase shift time corresponding to each photosensitive subunit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shift: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

fusing the phase-shifted level state signal to obtain a target echo signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal fusion:

Implementation Method 3

a LiDAR system includes a photosensitive receiving array, the photosensitive receiving array includes a plurality of photosensitive subunits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250362385A1Echo signal receiving method and device, terminal device, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 SUTENG INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The application provides an echo signal receiving method and device, a terminal device and a storage medium, and is applied to a LiDAR system. The LiDAR system includes a photosensitive receiving array, and the photosensitive receiving array includes a plurality of photosensitive subunits. The echo signal receiving method includes the following steps: collecting a level state signal of each photosensitive subunit; performing phase shift on the level state signal according to a phase shift time corresponding to each photosensitive subunit, where phase shift times corresponding to at least two photosensitive subunits are not equal; and fusing the phase-shifted level state signal to obtain a target echo signal.