LiDAR Receiver EO Beam Deflecting Unit for High-Speed Scanning

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LiDAR receivers face a trade-off between high scanning speed and large receiving aperture, as small mirrors are required for fast scanning but limit detection distance, while large mirrors reduce scanning speed and refresh rate.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electro-optical (EO) beam deflecting unit with a non-uniform medium, such as a refractive index gradient or diffraction grating, to deflect laser beams efficiently towards a photosensor, allowing for high-speed scanning and larger aperture without size limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a small scanning mirror is used, then scanning speed is improved, but receiving aperture is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning speedVSAvoidreceiving aperture

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical scanning mirror with an electro-optical beam deflecting unit that uses a non-uniform medium (such as a gradient refractive index medium or diffraction grating) to deflect laser beams. This substitution eliminates the need for a large mechanical mirror while achieving the same beam deflection function, thereby enabling both high scanning speed and large receiving aperture simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and optical parameters of the beam deflecting medium by creating a non-uniform refractive index distribution or diffraction grating structure. This allows the medium to deflect laser beams through optical effects rather than mechanical reflection, resolving the contradiction between scanning speed and aperture size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If a large scanning mirror is used, then receiving aperture is improved, but scanning speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiving apertureVSAvoidscanning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical scanning mirror with an electro-optical beam deflecting unit that uses a non-uniform medium (such as a gradient refractive index medium or diffraction grating) to deflect laser beams. This substitution eliminates the need for a large mechanical mirror while achieving the same beam deflection function, thereby enabling both high scanning speed and large receiving aperture simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and optical parameters of the beam deflecting medium by creating a non-uniform refractive index distribution or diffraction grating structure. This allows the medium to deflect laser beams through optical effects rather than mechanical reflection, resolving the contradiction between scanning speed and aperture size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improved light energy collection and detection capabilities, achieving high scanning speed and large aperture simultaneously, enhancing the performance of LiDAR systems.

Implementation Method 1

The EO beam deflecting unit is configured to generate a non-uniform medium having at least one of a refractive index gradient or a diffraction grating, receive the input laser beam such that the input laser beam impinges upon the non-uniform medium, and form an output laser beam towards a photosensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefractive index gradient: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The EO beam deflecting unit is configured to generate a non-uniform medium having at least one of a refractive index gradient or a diffraction grating, receive the input laser beam such that the input laser beam impinges upon the non-uniform medium, and form an output laser beam towards a photosensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction grating: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

The beam converging device is configured to receive a laser beam from an object being scanned by the LiDAR and form an input laser beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight convergence: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS11550033B2Electro-optical beam deflecting unit for light detection and ranging (LiDAR)

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 GUANGZHOU WOYA LAIDELING TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). In an example, a receiver includes a beam converging device and an EO beam deflecting unit. The beam converging device is configured to receive a laser beam from an object being scanned by the LiDAR and form an input laser beam. The EO beam deflecting unit is configured to generate a non-uniform medium having at least one of a refractive index gradient or a diffraction grating, receive the input laser beam such that the input laser beam impinges upon the non-uniform medium, and form an output laser beam towards a photosensor. An angle between the input and the output laser beams is nonzero.