Lidar Pulse Classification for Crosstalk and Jamming Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems face challenges in distinguishing between their own pulses and crosstalk or jamming pulses, which can lead to inaccurate distance measurements and potential damage to the detector, especially in environments with interference from other lidar systems or hostile sources.
Innovation Solution
The lidar system is designed to output pulses with specific characteristics and detect returned pulses, classifying them based on matching characteristics to identify anomalous pulses. It sets thresholds for crosstalk and jamming pulses, and when a jamming pulse is detected, it quenches the avalanche photodiode to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lidar system increases its sensitivity to detect weak return pulses, then the detection capability is improved, but the system becomes more susceptible to crosstalk and jamming pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies wavelength identification to distinguish between valid return pulses and anomalous pulses. By comparing the wavelength characteristics of received pulses against the known transmitted pulse wavelengths, the system can identify and reject crosstalk and jamming pulses while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting weak valid returns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate classification step between detection and processing. The receiver classifies pulses as valid or anomalous based on characteristic matching, creating an intermediary filtering mechanism that protects the system from harmful pulses while preserving detection sensitivity.
2Productivity
If the lidar system processes all detected pulses without discrimination, then the processing speed is maintained, but the accuracy of distance measurements deteriorates due to crosstalk and jamming pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of pulses based on characteristic matching before full processing. By identifying and flagging anomalous pulses early in the detection pipeline, the system avoids wasting processing resources on invalid pulses while maintaining accurate processing of valid returns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter comparison (wavelength, pulse characteristics) to differentiate between valid and anomalous pulses. By changing the analysis parameters from simple detection to characteristic matching, the system achieves both speed and accuracy.
3Area of stationary object
If the lidar system uses a broad field of view to detect more targets, then the coverage area is improved, but the likelihood of receiving crosstalk pulses from other lidar systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wavelength as an identifying characteristic to distinguish valid pulses from crosstalk. Even with a broad field of view receiving pulses from multiple directions and sources, the system can filter out crosstalk by matching wavelengths against the known transmitted pulse characteristics.
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 the accuracy and reliability of lidar systems by effectively distinguishing between valid and anomalous pulses, reducing susceptibility to interference and protecting the detector from harmful jamming pulses.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver configured to detect a plurality of received pulses of light from the field of regard
Implementation Method 2
the receiver includes an avalanche photodiode (APD)
Data Source
AI summary
A lidar system identifies anomalous optical pulses received by the lidar system. The lidar system includes a light source configured to output a plurality of transmitted pulses of light, each transmitted pulse of light having one or more representative characteristics, a scanner configured to direct the plurality of transmitted pulses of light to a plurality of locations within a field of regard, and a receiver configured to detect a plurality of received pulses of light from the field of regard. The lidar system is configured to identify an anomalous pulse amongst the plurality of received pulses of light based on its having at least one characteristic that does not correspond to the one or more representative characteristics of the plurality of transmitted pulses of light.