Vehicle LiDAR Filter Tuning for Temperature-Shifted Return Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar devices for vehicles face degraded object detection performance due to temperature changes, which affect the center wavelength of reflected optical signals and require adjustments in bandpass filtering and driving voltage to maintain optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a processor coupled with temperature sensors to adjust the bandpass of the optical filter and driving voltage of the lidar device based on temperature changes and operating modes, ensuring optimal object detection performance regardless of temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bandwidth fixed type optical filter is used to filter optical signals, then the optical receiver can effectively filter out signals except those reflected by objects, but when temperature changes cause a shift in the center wavelength of reflected optical signals, the filter cannot transmit the shifted signals effectively, degrading object detection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the bandpass of the optical filter adjustable rather than fixed. The processor dynamically adjusts the bandpass of the optical filter in the optical receiver based on temperature sensor readings to track the center wavelength of reflected optical signals. This allows the filter to adapt its transmission characteristics in real-time according to temperature changes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable signal filtering and adapting to temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by changing the bandpass parameter of the optical filter according to temperature. The processor receives temperature information from the temperature sensor and adjusts the bandpass parameter of the optical filter accordingly, allowing the filter to transmit optical signals at different center wavelengths as temperature changes. This directly addresses the wavelength shift problem caused by temperature variations while maintaining effective signal filtering.
2Reliability
If a fixed driving voltage is provided to the lidar device, then the device structure is simple, but as temperature rises the voltage necessary for driving the device increases, causing object detection performance to degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by adjusting the driving voltage parameter based on temperature. The processor receives temperature information from the temperature sensor and dynamically adjusts the driving voltage applied to the lidar device components. This allows the device to maintain optimal performance across different temperature conditions by providing higher voltage when temperature rises and lower voltage when temperature is lower, resolving the contradiction between performance reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the feedback principle by using temperature sensor readings to control voltage adjustment. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the device temperature and provides feedback to the processor, which then adjusts the driving voltage accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the lidar device operates at optimal voltage levels across varying temperature conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control systems.
3Reliability
If the bandpass of the optical filter is adjusted based on temperature changes, then object detection performance is maintained across different temperatures, but the device requires additional control mechanisms and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by integrating multiple functions into the existing processor. The processor not only performs the primary function of controlling optical signal transmission and reception but also performs temperature-based bandpass adjustment of the optical filter. By making the processor multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated control hardware for filter adjustment, thereby maintaining reliability across temperatures while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the temperature compensation control function with the existing optical signal processing function in the processor. The processor simultaneously handles optical signal reception, temperature sensor data processing, and optical filter bandpass adjustment. This consolidation of functions into a single control unit reduces the overall device complexity compared to having separate dedicated control circuits for each function.
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 effectively maintains optimal object detection performance by dynamically adjusting the bandpass filter and driving voltage, preventing performance degradation caused by temperature changes and efficiently managing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmitter configured to transmit an optical signal
Implementation Method 2
adjust a bandpass of an optical filter of the optical receiver
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a lidar device for a vehicle including an optical transmitter configured to transmit an outgoing optical signal, an optical receiver configured to receive a plurality of return optical signals incident in different directions, at least one temperature sensor configured to identify a temperature of the lidar device, and a processor operatively coupled with the optical transmitter, the optical receiver, and the at least one temperature sensor. The processor is configured to control the optical transmitter to transmit the outgoing optical signal configured to detect an object, receive an object optical signal, reflected by the object, through the optical receiver, identify a temperature of the lidar device through the temperature sensor in response to the identifying of intensity of the object optical signal being less than reference intensity, and adjust a bandpass of an optical filter of the optical receiver based on the temperature of the lidar device.