LiDAR Pulse Equalizer for Signal Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR systems face reduced range estimation accuracy due to signal distortion caused by photodetectors and amplifiers, which widen the pulses and decrease amplitude, leading to increased range estimation errors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pulse equalizer in the LiDAR receiver to sharpen the pulses, making them narrower and increasing their amplitude, which can be implemented as a feed-forward equalizer with filter coefficients or as a continuous-time linear equalizer, to reverse the distortion caused by photodetectors and amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photodetector and amplifier are used to receive and amplify laser beam, then signal reception capability is improved, but pulse width increases and amplitude decreases causing range estimation error
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse equalizer is configured to perform preliminary anti-action by pre-compensating for the distortion effects of the photodetector and amplifier. It applies equalization processing before range estimation to counteract the pulse widening and amplitude reduction, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving signal reception capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the pulse equalizer that receives control signals based on the distorted pulse characteristics. The equalizer adjusts its equalization parameters based on feedback from the distorted signal properties, optimizing the compensation to restore pulse shape and improve range estimation accuracy
2Measurement precision
If pulse equalizer is added to sharpen pulses, then range estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse equalizer is merged with the existing receiver components, sharing the same signal path and control architecture. By integrating the equalization function into the existing receiver structure rather than adding completely separate processing stages, the patent reduces overall device complexity while still achieving improved range estimation accuracy
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 pulse equalizer improves range estimation accuracy by recovering the native pulse shape, resulting in better mapping resolution and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector configured to receive a laser beam, and convert the received laser beam to an electrical signal including a plurality of pulses
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanner. The receiver includes a photodetector configured to receive a laser beam, and convert the received laser beam to an electrical signal including a plurality of pulses. The receiver also includes an amplifier configured to amplify the electrical signal. The receiver further includes a pulse equalizer configured to sharpen the plurality of pulses in the amplified electrical signal. Each pulse is sharpened to have a narrower width and an increased amplitude.