Dynamic LiDAR Pulse Scheduling for Laser Energy Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems face challenges with high latency and rapid adaptation to environmental changes, particularly in automotive applications, due to variable firing rates of laser sources that can lead to overheating and exceed energy limits.
Innovation Solution
A laser energy model is used to predict energy availability in the laser source, coupled with a control circuit to determine shot scheduling and mirror motion, allowing for precise and adaptive firing of laser pulses to ensure energy requirements are met and prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the laser source fires at high density to rapidly respond to detected objects, then the response speed and detection capability are improved, but the laser source overheats and exceeds maximum energy limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the laser source by using a transient energy model to predict available energy at future time points. The control circuit adjusts the firing rate in real-time based on predicted energy availability, allowing high-density firing when energy is sufficient and reducing firing rate when energy is approaching limits, thus preventing overheating while maximizing response speed when possible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a transient laser energy model to predict future energy availability before actual firing decisions are made. By simulating different shot order candidates and evaluating them against the energy model in advance, the system determines an optimal shot schedule that prevents energy limit violations before they occur, rather than reacting after overheating begins
2Adaptability or versatility
If the laser source operates at variable firing rates to adapt to environmental changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the energy management complexity increases due to charge buildup and discharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service energy management system where the transient laser energy model automatically tracks the laser source's charge buildup and discharge cycles. The model continuously updates available energy predictions based on actual firing patterns and source characteristics, enabling the control circuit to autonomously adjust shot scheduling without external intervention or complex manual energy management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by using the transient energy model to monitor the actual energy state of the laser source and comparing it against predicted values. The control circuit uses this feedback information to refine future energy predictions and adjust shot scheduling decisions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual source behavior while simplifying overall energy management
3Measurement precision
If the lidar system uses high frame rates to capture rapid environmental changes, then the measurement precision is improved, but the latency increases due to the need for energy modeling and shot scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary energy modeling and shot schedule determination before actual laser firing begins. The transient energy model predicts available energy at future time points, and the control circuit determines optimal shot ordering in advance, allowing the system to execute high-frame-rate measurements with minimal real-time delay since the energy management decisions are pre-computed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic shot scheduling that adapts to real-time energy availability while maintaining high frame rates. The control circuit uses the transient energy model to flexibly adjust shot timing and ordering, allowing the system to achieve measurement precision comparable to lower frame rates by concentrating measurements when energy is available, thereby reducing effective latency without sacrificing precision
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
The system enables low-latency, high-frame-rate operation with intelligent range point targeting, ensuring reliable and safe laser pulse firing even at high densities, while preventing overheating and maintaining energy thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
The lidar transmitter may employ a laser source that uses optical amplification to support the generation of laser pulses
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A lidar system that includes a laser source and transmits laser pulses produced by the laser source toward range points in a field of view can use a laser energy model to model the available energy in the laser source over time. The timing schedule for laser pulses fired by the lidar system can then be determined using energies that are predicted for the different scheduled laser pulse shots based on the laser energy model. This permits the lidar system to reliably ensure at a highly granular level that each laser pulse shot has sufficient energy to meet operational needs, including when operating during periods of high density/high resolution laser pulse firing.