LIDAR Material Identification Using Shared Polarization Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems face signal loss due to changes in polarization states during reflection, leading to increased complexity and cost from duplicating electronics to process multiple polarization states.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system employs a first transform component for complex transforms and a second transform component for real transforms, using their outputs in combination to generate LIDAR data, reducing the need for duplicate electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LIDAR systems process system return signals having multiple different polarization states, then the system can handle reflected light with changed polarization states, but electronics are duplicated increasing costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the processing of multiple polarization states into a single electronics path by using a polarization beam combiner to merge first and second system return signals with different polarization states into a single combined signal that is then processed by shared electronics, eliminating the need for duplicated electronics while maintaining the capability to handle multiple polarization states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing path that handles multiple polarization states through a single electronics chain by using polarization beam combiners and non-polarizing beam splitters to route and combine signals of different polarization states into a common processing path, allowing the same electronics to process multiple polarization states sequentially or simultaneously
2Reliability
If LIDAR systems use duplicated electronics to process different polarization states separately, then each polarization state can be processed independently, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple polarization state processing into a single path by combining first and second system return signals using polarization beam combiners, then routing the combined signal through a single non-polarizing beam splitter and shared electronics, maintaining independent processing capability while eliminating duplication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polarization beam combiners and non-polarizing beam splitters as intermediary components that enable multiple polarization states to be routed and processed through a single electronics path, acting as mediators that preserve signal integrity while consolidating the processing architecture
Data Source
AI summary
The LIDAR system includes a first transform component configured to perform a complex mathematical transform on first signals. The LIDAR system also includes a second transform component configured to perform a real mathematical transform on second signals. Electronics are configured to use an output of the first transform component in combination with an output of the second transformation component to generate LIDAR data. A signal level ratio obtained by using the first and the second signals is used to identify a material of an object for which the second signals were reflected signals corresponding to the first signals being incident on the object.