LiDAR Protection Shutter for Geospatial Data Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Geiger-mode APD LiDAR devices used in aerial vehicles are susceptible to anomalous behavior due to excessive optical power, leading to inaccurate geospatial data collection.

Innovation Solution

A geospatial data collection system with a protection LiDAR device that senses optical power levels and switches the data collection LiDAR device to a protected mode by closing a shutter when thresholds are exceeded, preventing anomalous responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the data collection LiDAR device operates in operating mode to collect geospatial data, then data collection efficiency is improved, but the device becomes susceptible to anomalous response due to excessive optical power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection efficiencyVSAvoiddevice reliability under excessive optical power

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection LiDAR device performs preliminary detection of excessive optical power conditions before the data collection LiDAR device is affected. By detecting potential hazards in advance and triggering the shutter closure, the system prevents anomalous responses while allowing normal operation during safe conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a protection LiDAR device is added to detect excessive optical power, then device reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from anomalous responseVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection LiDAR device and data collection LiDAR device are merged into a single integrated system mounted on the aerial vehicle. They share common mounting infrastructure and work together as a unified system, reducing the overall complexity increase that would result from completely separate systems while maintaining the reliability benefits of having protective detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the shutter is closed to protect the GmAPD camera from excessive optical power, then reliability is improved, but data collection is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from anomalous responseVSAvoiddata collection continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter closure serves as a preliminary anti-action that prevents harmful excessive optical power from reaching the GmAPD camera. By closing the shutter only when protection is needed and keeping it open during normal operation, the system minimizes interruptions to data collection while ensuring reliability when hazards are present, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Prevents anomalous data collection by protecting the GmAPD camera from excessive optical power, ensuring accurate and reliable geospatial data acquisition during aerial vehicle operations.

Implementation Method 1

Geiger-mode APD (GmAPD) cameras for LiDAR devices became commercially available. A Geiger-mode APD LiDAR device allows for geospatial data collection on a larger scale that is accomplished faster than linear mode APD LiDAR devices. GmAPD LiDAR devices are ultra-sensitive and can provide high-efficiency detection of single photons.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeiger-mode avalanche photodiode detection: Avalanche Breakdown

Implementation Method 2

A protection LiDAR device is mounted on the aerial vehicle and configured to sense an area geospatially ahead of the data collection LiDAR device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical power sensing: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The data collection LiDAR device is switchable from an operating mode to a protected mode based upon the protection LiDAR device. The shutter is open in the operating mode and closed in the protected mode. The data collection LiDAR device is protected from the anomalous response while in the protected mode.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption/blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3467546B1Geospatial data collection system with a look ahead sensor and associated methods

Publication Date: 2021.01.27 EAGLE TECHNOLOGY LLC

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AI summary

A geospatial data collection system is for an aerial vehicle and includes a data collection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device and a protection LiDAR device. The data collection LiDAR device is configured to collect geospatial data as the aerial vehicle moves along a collection path. The protection LiDAR device is configured to sense a geospatial area ahead of the data collection LiDAR device. The data collection LiDAR device is switchable from an operating mode to a protected mode based upon the protection LiDAR device.