Coherent LiDAR Fan-Beam Scanning for Beam Size and Angular Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems face challenges in achieving optimal beam size and angular spacing with collimators, leading to inefficiencies in scanning and environmental mapping for autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A novel collimator design that produces a collimated fan beam using a waveguide array, integrated with a scanning apparatus and polygon scanner, to enhance scanning efficiency and angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional collimators are used to produce laser beams, then beam size can be increased, but angular spacing between beams deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single laser beam into multiple parallel beams using a beam splitter array. Each beam splitter in the array creates a separate beam path, allowing multiple beams to be generated with controlled angular spacing while maintaining adequate beam size. This segmentation approach resolves the contradiction by distributing the beam generation function across multiple optical elements rather than relying on a single collimator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-beam operation to multi-beam operation by adding the dimensional aspect of beam multiplicity. By using a two-dimensional array of beam splitters, the system creates beams that are spaced both horizontally and vertically, effectively utilizing additional spatial dimensions to achieve both adequate beam size and proper angular spacing simultaneously.
2Shape
If conventional collimators are used to produce laser beams, then angular spacing can be improved, but beam size deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple beam splitters and collimating lenses into an integrated optical assembly. By combining these optical elements in a coordinated arrangement, the system achieves both adequate beam size and proper angular spacing that cannot be obtained with conventional single-function collimators. The merging of optical functions allows simultaneous optimization of both parameters.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple laser devices are used to emit multiple beams, then beam quantity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single laser device perform multiple functions by using a beam splitter array to generate multiple beams from one source. Instead of requiring multiple independent laser devices, the universal beam splitting mechanism allows one laser to serve the function of multiple lasers, thereby increasing beam quantity while avoiding the complexity of multiple laser sources and their associated control systems.
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 solution enables improved scanning efficiency and accurate environmental mapping by optimizing beam size and angular spacing, allowing for timely sampling of vehicle surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
A method and apparatus and system and computer-readable medium are described for scanning a fan of collimated beams of a laser radar (LIDAR)
Implementation Method 2
the transmitted and returned beams are focused by a collimator
Implementation Method 3
This kind of beat frequency detection of frequency differences at a detector is called heterodyne detection
Implementation Method 4
integrated with a scanning apparatus and polygon scanner, to enhance scanning efficiency and angular resolution
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
An apparatus is provided that includes a LIDAR system with a waveguide array arranged in a first plane. The waveguide array is configured to generate a plurality of beams where each beam is transmitted from a respective waveguide in the array. The apparatus also includes a collimator configured to shape the plurality of beams into a fan of collimated beams having an angular spread in the first plane. Additionally, the apparatus includes a polygon scanner configured to adjust a direction of the fan in a second plane that is different than the first plane. A method is also provided employing the apparatus.