Lidar Pulse Repetition Control for Energy and Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face challenges in achieving high imaging resolution and range while managing power consumption and heat generation, particularly as systems shrink in size, due to limitations in pulse repetition rate and intensity, which affect the density of 3-D point clouds and signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
The LIDAR system employs varying pulse repetition patterns, including skipping pulses or adjusting the repetition rate based on orientation, distance, object presence, and temperature, to reduce energy consumption and heat generation while maintaining high imaging resolution, by using a controller to dynamically adjust the pulse pattern in response to environmental conditions and object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pulse repetition rate is increased to improve imaging resolution and point cloud density, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pulse repetition rate adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the pulse repetition rate based on real-time detection of objects, terrain features, and environmental conditions. When objects are detected, the system increases the pulse repetition rate to improve imaging resolution. When the environment is clear, the system decreases the pulse repetition rate to reduce energy consumption and heat generation, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging resolution and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pulse repetition rate dynamically based on detected conditions. The controller modifies this key parameter in response to object presence, distance to objects, and environmental factors. By varying the pulse repetition rate as a function of these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between achieving sufficient imaging resolution and minimizing energy consumption and heat generation.
2Measurement precision
If the pulse intensity is increased to improve signal-to-noise ratio at extended ranges, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pulse intensity based on detected conditions. When objects are detected at extended ranges, the system increases pulse intensity to improve signal-to-noise ratio. When the environment is clear or objects are close, the system decreases pulse intensity to reduce energy consumption and heat generation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between signal quality and energy consumption.
3Quantity of substance
If the pulse repetition rate is increased to improve point cloud density, then the point cloud density is improved, but the heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically modulates the pulse repetition rate based on real-time environmental assessment. When objects are detected, the system increases the pulse repetition rate to improve point cloud density. When the environment is clear, the system decreases the pulse repetition rate to reduce heat generation. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between point cloud density and heat generation.
4Device complexity
If a single laser emitter/detector combination is used with fast rotating mirror to achieve 2-D scanning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of view coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2-D scanning to 3-D imaging by adding vertical scanning capability. The system scans in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, effectively adding a third dimension to the field of view coverage. This allows a single laser emitter/detector combination to capture 3-D point clouds with a broader field of view, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and field of view coverage.
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 allows for reduced energy consumption and heat generation while maintaining high imaging resolution and range, optimizing data sampling based on environmental conditions and object proximity, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of 3-D LIDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR systems employ pulses of light to measure distance to an object based on the time of flight (TOF) of each pulse of light
Implementation Method 2
A portion of the light reflects from the object and returns to a detector of the LIDAR system
Implementation Method 3
In some examples, pulses of light are generated by a laser emitter
Implementation Method 4
A portion of the light reflects from the object and returns to a detector of the LIDAR system. Based on the time elapsed between emission of the pulse of light and detection of the returned pulse of light, a distance is estimated
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with different pulse repetition patterns are described herein. Each repetitive pattern is a sequence of measurement pulses that repeat over time. In one aspect, the repetition pattern of a pulsed beam of illumination light emitted from a LIDAR system is varied to reduce total energy consumption and heat generated by the LIDAR system. In some examples, the repetitive pattern is varied by skipping a number of pulses. In some examples, the repetitive pattern of pulses of illumination light emitted from the LIDAR system is varied by changing a repetition rate of the sequence of emitted pulses. In some examples, the pulse repetition pattern is vared based on the orientation of the LIDAR device. In some examples, the repetition pattern is varied based on an object detected by the LIDAR device or another imaging system.