Interlaced LiDAR Scan Pattern for High-Resolution Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems face challenges in efficiently scanning and measuring distances to targets with high resolution and accuracy, particularly in achieving precise distance determination and high-resolution scan patterns across a wide field of regard.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lidar system that includes a light source emitting pulses of light with specific optical characteristics, a scanner configured to scan the output beam across a high-resolution scan pattern, and a receiver to detect scattered light, allowing for precise distance calculation based on time-of-flight and frequency modulation, with interlaced scan lines and locally retraced scan patterns to enhance scanning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lidar system uses traditional scanning methods to measure distances to targets, then the system can obtain basic distance information, but the measurement precision and scan resolution are insufficient for high-accuracy applications
Solution Approach 1:
The scan pattern is segmented into multiple interlaced scan lines that traverse the field of regard in alternating directions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision by distributing measurement points across multiple passes, enabling accurate distance determination through multiple observations of the same spatial locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the scanning process by implementing interlaced scan lines that alternate directions on successive passes. This dimensional approach transforms a simple linear scan into a two-dimensional scan pattern matrix, where each spatial location is measured multiple times from different temporal passes, significantly improving measurement precision without requiring additional hardware complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If the lidar system scans across a wide field of regard with high resolution, then the coverage and detail are improved, but the scanning time and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interlaced scan pattern ensures continuity of useful action by eliminating idle return trips. While one scan line traverses the field of regard in the forward direction, the next scan line immediately traverses in the opposite direction, maintaining continuous measurement activity across the entire field of regard. This approach maximizes the utilization of scanning time and reduces total scanning duration while covering wide areas with high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action through repeated alternating scan passes across the field of regard. Each location within the wide field is periodically measured by multiple interlaced scan lines traversing in alternating directions, enabling comprehensive high-resolution coverage of large areas through rhythmic, cyclical scanning patterns that optimize time efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the lidar system increases scan resolution and measurement accuracy, then the quality of distance determination is improved, but the complexity of the scanning mechanism and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlaced scan pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high measurement precision through repeated observations, covers wide fields of regard efficiently, and maintains relatively simple scanner mechanics by using straightforward alternating directional passes. This universal scanning approach achieves high accuracy without requiring complex scanning mechanisms, as the same basic scanner hardware performs all measurement functions through intelligent pattern control.
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 configuration enables the lidar system to achieve high-resolution distance measurements and efficient scanning across a wide field of regard, improving accuracy and coverage while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The system determines the distance to the target based on one or more characteristics associated with the received light. For example, the lidar system may determine the distance to the target based on the time of flight for a pulse of light emitted by the light source to travel to the target and back to the lidar system.
Implementation Method 2
The light source emits light toward a target which scatters the light, and some of the scattered light is received back at the receiver.
Implementation Method 3
a scanner configured to scan the output beam across a high-resolution scan pattern
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit pulses of light and a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light along a high-resolution scan pattern located within a field of regard of the lidar system. The scanner includes one or more scan mirrors configured to (i) scan the emitted pulses of light along a first scan axis to produce multiple scan lines of the high-resolution scan pattern, where each scan line is associated with multiple pixels, each pixel corresponding to one of the emitted pulses of light and (ii) distribute the scan lines of the high-resolution scan pattern along a second scan axis. The high-resolution scan pattern includes one or more of: interlaced scan lines and interlaced pixels.