Optical Sensor Light Output Control for LiDAR Safety and Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensor systems, particularly laser-based systems, face limitations in detection range due to conservative configurations to ensure eye safety, which restricts the emitted light output and can lead to reduced reliability and potential eye safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and control unit that adjust the emitted light output of a light source by determining characteristic variables of electrical signals representing pulse energy, allowing for optimized detection range while ensuring eye safety through the use of a control signal and setpoint values, utilizing components like photodiodes, integrators, and comparators to monitor and adjust light pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the emitted light output is increased to improve detection range, then the detection range is improved, but eye safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the actual pulse energy of the light source is continuously measured and compared against safety limits. The system adjusts the light output dynamically based on this feedback, allowing operation at maximum safe power levels while ensuring eye safety is maintained through real-time monitoring and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the light source by precisely controlling pulse energy levels. Instead of using a fixed conservative power setting, the system dynamically adjusts the pulse energy parameter to operate close to safety limits while remaining within safe boundaries, thereby maximizing detection range without compromising eye safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conservative configuration is used to ensure eye safety, then eye safety is improved, but detection range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism replaces conservative static configuration with dynamic adaptive control. By continuously measuring actual pulse energy and adjusting operation accordingly, the system can safely operate at higher power levels than conservative estimates would allow, thereby extending detection range while maintaining eye safety through real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of light output levels. The sensor system itself measures the pulse energy and controls the light source to operate within safety limits, eliminating the need for external safety margins and enabling maximum detection range while ensuring eye safety through autonomous control.
3Volume of moving object
If the light source operates close to safety limits to improve detection range, then detection range is improved, but measurement precision of pulse energy becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and characterization of the light source output before operation. By pre-measuring pulse energy and establishing baseline characteristics, the system can accurately track and control power levels during operation, enabling precise measurement even when operating close to safety limits where measurement accuracy is most critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or electronic power control mechanisms with optical measurement and control. By using optical sensors to measure pulse energy and optical methods to control the light source, the system achieves higher measurement precision and control accuracy compared to traditional electrical control methods, enabling safe operation at maximum power levels.
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 detection accuracy and safety by allowing the light source to operate closer to safety limits, improving the detection range and reliability of optical sensor systems while ensuring eye safety, particularly in applications like LiDAR for autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor element is able to convert the portion into an electrical signal. For example, the sensor element may be a photodiode.
Implementation Method 2
The pulse energy may be directly determined with the aid of an integrator. The integrator is able to sum up the light output represented in the electrical signal and to supply the integral of the light output representing the pulse energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an emitted light output of a light source of an optical sensor system, in which a portion of the emitted light output is represented in an electrical signal, a characteristic variable of the signal representing a pulse energy of an emitted light pulse is determined, and a control signal for the light source is provided using the characteristic variable and a setpoint value of the characteristic variable.