Solid-State LIDAR Optical Coupler for Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems require mechanical moving parts, making them bulky, costly, and unreliable for applications like autonomous vehicles, where improved accuracy and power handling for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR signals are needed.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state LIDAR device with a waveguide, cladding, and a scattering array that routes and perturbs an infrared optical field to increase beam intensity and power handling, using a reflector layer and substrate to direct the beam, and a two-dimensional coupler for orthogonal polarization orientations, eliminating the need for mechanical parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical moving parts are used to steer the laser beam in conventional LIDAR systems, then the system can achieve beam steering functionality, but the system becomes bulky, costly, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a solid-state optical coupling system. The optical coupler uses a waveguide and scattering array to steer the laser beam without mechanical components, eliminating moving parts while maintaining beam steering functionality. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical systems directly resolves the contradiction by removing complexity while preserving operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical coupler as an intermediary component between the laser source and the environment. This optical coupler, consisting of a waveguide and scattering array, mediates the beam steering function without requiring mechanical movement. The intermediary optical coupling mechanism enables beam direction control through optical means rather than mechanical means, resolving the contradiction between operational capability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional LIDAR systems use mechanical moving parts for beam steering, then beam steering is achieved, but the system size increases making it bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by implementing a solid-state optical coupling system. The waveguide and scattering array configuration enables beam steering through optical means, dramatically reducing the volume required for beam steering functionality. This replacement of mechanical systems with compact optical components directly addresses the volume reduction requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional mechanical beam steering mechanisms to a planar optical coupling structure. The scattering array is configured in a two-dimensional plane within the waveguide, enabling beam steering functionality without requiring the bulkiness of mechanical moving parts. This dimensional simplification reduces system volume while preserving operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional LIDAR systems use mechanical moving parts, then beam steering is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical moving parts with a solid-state optical coupling system consisting of a waveguide and scattering array. This substitution eliminates the need for precision mechanical components, motors, and actuators, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining beam steering functionality. The optical coupling approach uses standard optical fabrication techniques that are more cost-effective than mechanical assembly.
4Ease of operation
If conventional LIDAR systems use mechanical moving parts, then beam steering is achieved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by implementing a solid-state optical coupling system. The waveguide and scattering array configuration provides a reliable, maintenance-free beam steering mechanism without the wear, friction, and failure modes associated with mechanical components. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical systems directly improves system reliability while preserving beam steering capability.
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
Enhances signal-to-noise ratio and extends the range performance of FMCW LIDAR systems by increasing beam intensity and power handling, while reducing system size and cost, making it suitable for autonomous vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
The scattering array is formed in the cladding. The scattering array is configured to perturb the infrared optical field routed by the waveguide to direct the infrared optical field into an infrared beam propagating toward a surface of the cladding.
Implementation Method 2
The waveguide is configured to route an infrared optical field
Implementation Method 3
The reflector layer is configured to direct the infrared beam to exit through the substrate layer.
Implementation Method 4
the scattering array is also configured to couple a received infrared beam into the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR device for a vehicle includes an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate layer, a cladding layer, a waveguide, a scattering array, and a reflector layer. The cladding layer is disposed on the substrate layer to form an interface with the substrate layer. The waveguide is disposed within the cladding layer and configured to route an infrared optical field. The scattering array is disposed within the cladding layer between the waveguide and the interface and perturbs the infrared optical field and scatters the infrared optical field into a first beam propagating toward a surface of the cladding layer and into a second beam propagating towards the interface. The reflector layer is disposed within the cladding layer between the waveguide and the surface of the cladding layer to reflect the first beam towards the interface.