Compressed-Sensing LiDAR Reception Using a Fixed Columnar Mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in reducing power requirements, ensuring eye safety, and achieving dynamically selectable resolution with reduced data and simplified detection, particularly in flash and scanning systems.
Innovation Solution
The method combines line flash LiDAR and compressed sensing LiDAR with light structuring, eliminating the need for complex light modulation by using a predefined, fixed matrix-like pattern to restructure secondary light on the receiving side, allowing detection and evaluation without a complex light modulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex light modulation using a light modulator is used, then resolution and detection precision are improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modulating the light before emission (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by emitting unstructured light and performing the modulation function on the receiving side through a fixed mask that structures the returned light into columnar patterns. This eliminates the need for complex, actively modulated light sources while achieving the same detection precision through computational reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical light modulator with a static optical mask that performs light structuring through its fixed physical pattern. This substitution eliminates complex modulation electronics and moving parts, reducing device complexity while maintaining detection precision through the fixed columnar pattern structure.
2Measurement precision
If complex light modulation using a light modulator is used, then detection precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by moving the modulation function from the transmitting side (light source) to the receiving side (fixed mask). This eliminates the need for power-hungry active modulators while maintaining detection precision through the static optical structure and computational reconstruction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, power-consuming active light modulators with a simple, passive fixed mask that requires no power consumption. The mask is a static optical element that structures light through its physical pattern without requiring electrical actuation or complex control electronics.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution is achieved through conventional methods, then measurement precision is improved, but quantity of data and detection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light detection into columnar patterns through the fixed mask, where each column is detected by a corresponding detector element. This segmentation approach reduces the total number of measurements needed while maintaining resolution, as the columnar structure enables efficient data compression through compressed sensing reconstruction algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by detecting only the necessary columnar patterns required for reconstruction rather than capturing all possible spatial information. The fixed mask structures light into a subset of patterns that are sufficient for high-resolution reconstruction, reducing data quantity while maintaining measurement precision through intelligent sampling.
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 approach reduces power consumption, enhances eye safety, and enables efficient data compression while maintaining high resolution, using simpler and cost-effective components in LiDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
capture and evaluate radiation reflected from the visual field
Implementation Method 2
LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems are increasingly being used for environment recognition
Implementation Method 3
Is converted by light structuring using a predefined, fixed, and temporally constant matrix-like pattern into restructured secondary light having at least one matrix-like light pattern consisting of columnar patterns
Data Source
AI summary
An operating method for a LiDAR system, in particular of the compressed sensing type. On the emission side, primary light is emitted in an unstructured manner into a visual field for the illumination thereof, and on the receiving side, light from the visual field is received as secondary light, is converted by light structuring using a predefined, fixed, and temporally constant, matrix-like pattern, into restructured secondary light having at least one matrix-like light pattern consisting of columnar patterns, and for detection, is respectively imaged column by column using the columnar patterns on an associated common detector element of a detector arrangement and detected as a whole.