3D LiDAR Targeted Field of View for Dense Point Clouds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems are limited by their field of view and point cloud density, necessitating improvements to capture a broad area with minimal delay and high resolution, especially in applications like autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR device that emits multiple beams of light over a range of angles, including an axis of rotation, with optical elements that absorb unwanted wavelengths and overmolded lenses to enhance collection, and a system that flattens intensity distribution to reduce peak emission, allowing for simultaneous high-density imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single laser emitter/detector combination with beam path alteration (mirror, prism, or actuation) is used to achieve broader field of view, then the field of view is improved, but the point cloud density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single laser emitter/detector system into multiple parallel laser emitters and detectors, each capturing a specific angular sector. This segmentation allows simultaneous coverage of broad field of view while maintaining high point cloud density in each sector, as multiple lasers operate concurrently rather than sequentially scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-beam system to a multi-beam array configuration, adding the dimension of spatial parallelism. By arranging multiple laser emitters and detectors in an array that spans multiple angular sectors, the system achieves both broad field of view and high point cloud density through concurrent multi-directional measurement.
2Area of stationary object
If rotating mirrors are rotated at very fast speeds to capture more area, then the field of view is improved, but the point cloud density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single rotating mirror that sequentially scans across the field, the patent segments the field of view into multiple fixed angular sectors, each served by a dedicated laser emitter/detector pair. This eliminates the need for high-speed rotation while maintaining broad coverage through parallel stationary sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating mirror system with a static multi-element laser array. By substituting mechanical motion with parallel optical paths, the system achieves broad field of view without the speed limitations and density losses inherent in rotating mirror approaches.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple pulses are emitted in rapid succession with sequential direction variation, then the field of view is improved, but the image update delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous measurement across the entire field of view by deploying multiple laser emitters that operate in parallel. Rather than sequentially scanning through different directions, all lasers emit and receive returns concurrently, providing continuous real-time updates without temporal gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple angular sectors, each monitored by a dedicated laser emitter/detector. This segmentation allows independent parallel operation of each sector, eliminating the sequential timing delays inherent in single-laser scanning systems while maintaining complete field coverage.
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
Enables a wide field of view and high-resolution 3-D imaging with reduced peak intensity, ensuring timely image updates and improved safety in environments with humans.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR systems employ pulses of light to measure distance to an object based on the time of flight (TOF) of the pulsed of light
Implementation Method 2
A portion of the light reflects from the object and returns to a detector of the LIDAR system
Implementation Method 3
one or more of the optical elements of the collection optics, the illumination optics, or both is constructed from one or more materials that absorb light outside of a predetermined wavelength range that includes the wavelengths of light emitted by each of the light emitting elements
Implementation Method 4
a lens element is disposed in the light path between a light emitting element and the illumination optics to flatten the intensity distribution of light emitted from the light emitting element. This reduces the peak intensity of light emitted from the LIDAR system
Implementation Method 5
LIDAR systems employ pulses of light to measure distance to an object based on the time of flight (TOF) of the pulsed of light
Data Source
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AI summary
A plurality of beams of illumination light are emitted from a LIDAR device over a range of angles and scanned about an axis of rotation. The range of angles includes the axis of rotation. Intermediate electronics boards provide mechanical support and electrical connectivity between a rotating electronics board and various elements of a light emission and collection engine. One or more of the optical elements of the collection optics, the illumination optics, or both, is constructed from one or more materials that absorb light outside of a predetermined wavelength range. An overmolded lens is fixedly coupled to one or more of the light detecting elements to collect incoming light over a larger range of angles. A lens element is disposed in the light path between a light emitting element and the illumination optics to flatten the intensity distribution of light emitted from the light emitting element to reduce peak intensity.