LIDAR Signal Evaluation Using Equidistant Pulse Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems using multi-pulses face issues with complex charging circuits, eye safety concerns, poor signal statistics, high computing effort for signal evaluation, restricted unambiguous range leading to ghost echoes, and interference from external sensors.
Innovation Solution
Emitting optical emission signals equidistantly varying within the unambiguous range to identify and eliminate ghost echoes and external sensor signals by evaluating received signals based on maximum values and threshold values, with optional pre-filtering and background noise consideration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple laser pulses are emitted at very short intervals (nanosecond range) within one measurement, then signal statistics improve, but charging circuit complexity increases significantly and eye safety becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by emitting multiple laser pulses at regular, equidistant time intervals within one measurement cycle. This periodic pulse emission pattern allows the charging circuit to recharge between pulses while maintaining good signal statistics through multiple measurements, resolving the contradiction between signal quality and circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time interval parameter between laser pulses from nanosecond range to equidistant intervals that allow proper charging. This parameter adjustment enables the use of simpler charging circuits while maintaining measurement reliability through multiple pulses per measurement
2Reliability
If multiple laser pulses are emitted at very short intervals, then signal statistics improve, but eye safety requirements become more stringent and complex safety mechanisms are needed
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic equidistant pulse emission instead of continuous nanosecond pulses, the system reduces peak power requirements and allows energy dissipation between pulses, thereby maintaining signal statistics while reducing eye safety hazards and simplifying safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of continuous high-power pulsing into a beneficial periodic pattern where intervals allow energy dissipation. This transforms the harmful continuous exposure into beneficial intermittent exposure that maintains measurement quality while reducing safety concerns
3Measurement precision
If fixed time intervals are used for pulse emission, then unambiguous range is maintained, but ghost echoes from external sensors cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pulse emission time intervals variable rather than fixed. The intervals are equidistant but vary between measurements, which maintains unambiguous range through proper timing while enabling the identification of ghost echoes from external sensors through interval variation patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by comparing received signals across multiple measurements with varying equidistant intervals. Signals that consistently appear at the same time positions despite interval variations are identified as ghost echoes from external sensors, while true targets show varying positions, enabling discrimination between real and artifact signals
4Device complexity
If fixed time intervals are used for pulse emission, then system simplicity is maintained, but ghost echoes occur when objects are farther than detection range
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing dynamic equidistant interval variation instead of fixed intervals, the system maintains relative simplicity while eliminating ghost echoes. The variation in intervals causes ghost echoes from external sensors to appear at different time positions across measurements, making them identifiable and removable through statistical analysis
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 effectively reduces detection artifacts, improving signal accuracy and reducing computing effort while maintaining eye safety and unambiguous range integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The number is 3 to 6, sometimes up to 20, in particular 12 pulses... The signal transit time may thus be calculated incorrectly and thus the distance to the object may be ascertained incorrectly
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating optical reception signals. The method includes: emitting multiple optical emission signals for reception as optical reception signals, the respective emission signals being emitted equidistantly varying; receiving optical reception signals; associating the respective received optical reception signals with the multiple optical emission signals; evaluating the received optical reception signals as a function of the respective maximum values of the associated optical reception signals.