LiDAR Sensor With Free-Form Light Source Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR systems face limitations in flexibility and power efficiency due to reliance on mechanical beam steering and homogeneous illumination, which can lead to inflexibility and inefficiency, especially in addressing specific regions of interest within the field of view.
Innovation Solution
The LiDAR sensor employs an array of light emitters and photodetectors grouped into non-traditional, free-form geometries, allowing for individual addressing and power optimization, enabling adaptive illumination and scanning without mechanical components, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional row/column partitioning and mechanical steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical beam steering components (spinning LiDAR, polygon mirrors, MEMS mirrors) are used to scan the field of view, then the LiDAR system can achieve long-range detection capability, but the system becomes less reliable due to mechanical failure risks and loses flexibility in addressing specific regions of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple independently controllable groups or regions, allowing selective illumination of specific areas within the field of view. This segmentation enables the system to address regions of interest without mechanical steering, improving both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering components with an electronically controlled array of light sources. Each light source element can be independently activated to steer the beam optically, eliminating moving parts and mechanical failure risks while maintaining long-range detection capability and adding flexibility for region-of-interest targeting.
2Ease of operation
If homogeneous illumination of the entire field of view is used, then the LiDAR system can maintain simple control logic, but it becomes power inefficient and inflexible when only specific regions need to be monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is made non-uniform by activating only specific light source elements corresponding to regions of interest. This local quality approach concentrates power where needed rather than illuminating the entire field of view uniformly, significantly improving power efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of illuminating the complete field of view, the system applies partial action by activating only the necessary subset of light source elements for the current region of interest. This reduces overall power consumption while maintaining adequate illumination for detection purposes.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional row/column partitioning of light sources is used, then the system structure remains simple and manufacturable, but it lacks the flexibility to address arbitrary regions of interest with optimal geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The light source array is segmented into independently addressable elements or groups that can be selectively activated. This segmentation maintains the physical simplicity of the array structure for manufacturing while enabling flexible electronic control to target arbitrary regions of interest with optimal geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static row/column partitioning to dynamic regional grouping where light source elements can be reconfigured into different geometric patterns through electronic control. This allows the illumination geometry to adapt dynamically to different regions of interest while maintaining the same physical array structure.
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 allows for power-efficient, flexible illumination and scanning, enhancing range performance and reducing noise, while eliminating the risk of mechanical failure, resulting in a compact, cost-effective, and adaptable LiDAR system capable of targeting regions of interest within the field of view.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitters are operable to emit light away from the LiDAR sensor... Each photodetector is operable to detect light emitted by the light source and being reflected by an object outside the LiDAR sensor... the time between sending and receiving a light pulse is dependent on the distance
Implementation Method 2
Each photodetector is operable to detect light emitted by the light source and being reflected by an object outside the LiDAR sensor and to generate a detector signal as a function of the detected light
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR sensor for light detection and ranging includes a light source, a driver circuit, a detector and a processing unit. The light source includes an array of light emitters, wherein the light emitters are electrically interconnected as groups, and wherein the light emitters are operable to emit light away from the LiDAR sensor. At least two of the groups of light emitters form areas of the light source resembling different geometries from each other. The driver circuit is operable to address the groups of light emitters individually, such that the light emitters from a same group emit light with a same emission characteristic. The detector includes an array of photodetectors, wherein each photodetector is operable to detect light emitted by the light source and being reflected by an object outside the LiDAR sensor and to generate a detector signal as a function of the detected light. The processing unit is operable to provide an output indicative of distance to the object based on the detector signals associated with a respective group of light emitters.