LIDAR Imaging System With Overlapping ADC Measurement Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption, limiting their adoption in various applications due to high energy requirements for generating LIDAR data.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system design that overlaps measurement windows with output windows, allowing for continuous transmission and receipt of signals, utilizing waveguides for different outgoing LIDAR signals with varying chirp rates and directions, and combining return signals with reference signals to generate composite light signals for efficient data calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LIDAR systems use traditional sequential measurement windows, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to idle ADC time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic chirp sequences with multiple chirp periods, where each chirp period contains multiple output windows. This periodic structure allows the system to transmit LIDAR signals in repeated cycles, enabling the ADC to continuously process returning signals across multiple measurement windows without idle time between transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates continuous useful action by overlapping measurement windows with subsequent output windows. The ADC remains actively processing signals throughout the entire operation cycle, eliminating idle periods. Multiple measurement windows are configured to overlap with multiple output windows, ensuring the ADC continuously converts returning light signals to electrical signals without interruption.
2Productivity
If LIDAR systems transmit signals continuously to reduce idle time, then energy efficiency improves, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous signal processing into distinct chirp periods and output windows. Each chirp period contains multiple output windows, and each output window corresponds to specific measurement windows. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex overlapping operations through structured, repeatable units that are easier to process and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the chirp signals, specifically varying the frequency modulation characteristics across different chirp periods and output windows. By changing parameters such as chirp rate, frequency sweep direction, and timing offsets, the system can distinguish between signals from different output windows even when measurement windows overlap, reducing processing complexity through inherent signal differentiation.
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
Reduces idle time of Analog-to-Digital Converters, thereby decreasing the energy needed for generating LIDAR data and enhancing system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The light combiners combine light from the system return signals with light from reference signals so as to generate composite light signals that are each beating at a beat frequency
Implementation Method 2
The LIDAR system has waveguides that receives the outgoing LIDAR signals such that different outgoing LIDAR signals are guided by different waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
The LIDAR system configured output system output signals. Each of the system output signals is output during a different output window. The LIDAR system is configured to receive system return signals that each includes light that is from one of the system output signals and that was reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes light combiners. Each of the light combiners combines light from the system return signals with light from reference signals so as to generate composite light signals. Each of the composite light signals is beating at a beat frequency. The LIDAR system also includes an Analog-to-Digital Converter that receives data signals that area each beating at the beat frequency of one of the composite signals. The Analog-to-Digital Converter can receive each of the data signals within a different measurement window that is associated with the data signal. Each of the measurement windows overlaps several of the output windows.