Lidar Phase-Bounded Low Cross-Correlation Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lidar systems are limited by the need to wait for each light pulse to return before emitting the next, restricting their range, resolution, and accuracy due to synchronized light pulse operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of phase delays from encoded light signals, specifically phase-bounded low cross-correlation codes (PB-LCCs), allows for asynchronous encoding and decoding, enabling continuous operation without temporal gaps, thereby improving range and accuracy in object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronized light pulse operations are used, then the system structure is simple, but the range and accuracy are limited due to waiting for each pulse to return
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using continuous wave light signals with periodic modulation instead of discrete pulses. The system modulates the continuous light wave at specific frequencies to encode distance information, allowing overlapping measurements to occur simultaneously without temporal gaps, thereby eliminating the waiting time between pulses while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through continuous wave illumination with phase modulation. The light source continuously emits modulated light waves rather than intermittent pulses, ensuring that measurement activity is ongoing without interruption. This continuous operation allows multiple measurements to overlap in time, maximizing the utilization of the light path and eliminating idle waiting periods.
2Measurement precision
If continuous wave signals with phase modulation are used, then range and accuracy improve, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing reference signals that are identical copies of the transmitted modulation signals. These reference signals serve as mediators for comparison with the returned signals through correlation processing. The reference signals enable the extraction of phase delay information without requiring complex direct analysis of the returned waves, simplifying the overall processing while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modulating the continuous light wave at multiple distinct frequencies. By varying the modulation frequency parameter, the system can encode different measurement channels and enable frequency-domain separation of multiple targets. This frequency diversity allows simultaneous multi-target measurement while managing signal processing complexity through spectral 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
This approach enhances the range and accuracy of lidar systems by utilizing phase delays for object characterization, reducing cross-correlation interference and allowing for continuous data acquisition, leading to improved performance in object detection and imaging.
Implementation Method 1
an optical emitter 210 to emit an optical signal. A beam director 230 of the system is operable to direct the optical signal to one or more external locations 30. An optical detector 220 of the system is operable to detect a reflection of the optical signal off of the one or more external locations 30
Implementation Method 2
Many lidar systems and methods characterize distances to objects in their surroundings based on time delays (e.g., associated with pulses of light emitted by the systems)
Implementation Method 3
use phase delays (e.g., of encoded light signals, such as periodic signals, emitted by the lidar system 200, such as described below in more detail) to characterize distances to (and/or other information associated with) objects in their surroundings
Implementation Method 4
The set of encodings preferably exhibits low cross-correlation throughout substantially the entire phase bound
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system, preferably including one or more: optical emitters, optical detectors, beam directors, and/or processing modules. A method of LIDAR system operation, preferably including: determining signals, outputting the signals, receiving one or more return signals, and/or analyzing the return signals.