LiDAR Light Detector with Dynamic Pixel Region Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR systems using non-coaxial optical systems face challenges in accurately detecting distances due to parallax issues, which can result in missed reflections from short-distance objects and increased power consumption from wide light-receiving regions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 2D sensor with a light detector that sets distinct light-receiving regions for long and short distances, optimizing pixel density and power usage by turning off pixels in the short-distance region when not needed, and using shared output paths to reduce circuit complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide light-receiving region is used to detect both long and short-distance reflections, then detection coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiver dynamically changes the light-receiving region based on detection needs. For long-distance objects, a wider region is activated; for short-distance objects, a narrower region is used. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain detection coverage while reducing power consumption by activating only the necessary pixels for each measurement scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The light receiver is divided into multiple pixels that can be independently controlled. By segmenting the light-receiving region into multiple selectable areas, the system can activate only the specific pixels needed for detecting reflections from objects at different distances, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wide light-receiving region is used to detect both long and short-distance reflections, then detection coverage is improved, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pixels share common circuit components such as readout circuits and signal processing units. By merging these circuits, the system reduces the total circuit area required while still supporting multiple light-receiving regions and maintaining the capability to detect both long and short-distance reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit components are designed to serve multiple functions and multiple pixels simultaneously. A single readout circuit can handle signals from different pixels and different light-receiving regions, reducing the overall circuit area while maintaining full detection coverage capability.
3Measurement precision
If pixel density is increased to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts which pixels are activated based on the detection task. For high-precision measurements, only the necessary pixels are activated, reducing the effective complexity. The ability to selectively activate pixels allows high detection accuracy when needed while keeping the operational device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-density pixel array is segmented into multiple regions that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the specific high-density regions needed for accurate detection, rather than activating the entire high-density array, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
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 enhances distance measurement accuracy by ensuring detection of both long and short-distance reflections while minimizing power consumption and circuit area, effectively addressing parallax and power efficiency concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensional sensor (2D sensor) comprising a plurality of silicon photomultipliers arranged two-dimensionally
Data Source
AI summary
A light detector according to an embodiment includes a light receiver and a controller. The light receiver includes sensors and pixels. The sensors are arranged two-dimensionally on a substrate. The controller is configured to set a light-receiving region in which the sensors are selectively turned on in the light receiver. The controller sets first and second light-receiving regions. The first and second light-receiving regions include first and second pixel, respectively. The second light-receiving region is arranged away from an optical axis of laser light received by the light receiver. The controller, after turning on each of the first pixel and the second pixel, is further configured to turn off the second pixel in a state in which the first pixel is turned on.