LiDAR Light Emitter Redundancy via Alternating Power Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state LiDAR sensors face challenges in providing sufficient memory for calculating and storing histograms of time of flights, and in ensuring reliable operation due to power limitations and potential damage to light emitters.
Innovation Solution
The LiDAR sensor employs a controller programmed to alternate between two powering sequences for light emitter pairs, allowing for continued operation even if one light emitter is damaged, and increasing the overall lifetime of the sensor by providing redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light emitters are operated continuously to ensure sufficient power for desired range information, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage and burnout
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter array is divided into multiple independently controllable light emitters that can be operated in different sequences. The controller alternates between first and second powering sequences, activating different subsets of light emitters at different times, which segments the operational load and reduces stress on individual emitters while maintaining overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic alternating operation between two different powering sequences. By cycling through different activation patterns over time, the system ensures sufficient power delivery for accurate measurements while distributing the operational stress periodically, preventing any single emitter from being overused and reducing the risk of damage or burnout.
2Reliability
If redundant light emitters are added to provide backup capability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitters are designed with multi-functionality where each emitter can serve both as a primary active element and as a backup replacement. The same physical emitters are used in different roles depending on the active powering sequence, eliminating the need for dedicated backup emitters and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic reconfiguration of the light emitter array by alternating between different powering sequences. The controller dynamically adjusts which emitters are active based on operational needs and detected emitter status, allowing the system to adapt to damage or failure without requiring fixed backup elements, thereby managing complexity through flexible control rather than hardware redundancy.
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 solution enables the LiDAR sensor to maintain operation and accuracy even after one or more light emitters are damaged, while also extending the sensor's lifespan through efficient power management and redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
Light is emitted into the field of view of the photodetector and the photodetector detects light that is reflected by an object in the field of view
Implementation Method 2
The time of flight of reflected photons detected by the photodetector is used to determine the distance of the object that reflected the light
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for LiDAR sensor is programmed to activate a plurality of light emitter pairs each including a first light emitter and a second light emitter by alternating between a first powering sequence and a second powering sequence. The first powering sequence includes sequentially activating the first light emitters. The second powering sequence includes sequentially activating the second light emitters. The controller is programmed to, during one of the first powering sequences, detect damage to the first light emitter of a damaged one of the light emitter pairs. The controller is programmed to, during subsequent first powering sequences, activating the second light emitter of the damaged one of the light emitter pairs in response to detected damage to the first light emitter of the damaged one of the light emitter pairs.