Rotational LiDAR Redundancy Using Shared Optics and Backup Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotational or spinning lidar systems in autonomous vehicles are expensive and have multiple single-points of failure, making it impractical to use multiple units for redundancy, and existing backup systems are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implement a rotational lidar system with a single set of mechanical components and two or more redundant electronic and/or software modules, allowing the system to continue operating even if one module fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lidar systems are used to provide redundancy, then reliability is improved, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lidar system into separate functional modules: mechanical components (housing, motor, optics) and electronic/software modules (transmitters, receivers, processors, controllers). This segmentation allows redundancy to be implemented only in the electronic/software portion rather than duplicating the entire expensive mechanical system, thereby improving reliability while controlling cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines a single set of mechanical components with multiple electronic and software modules into one integrated lidar system. This merging allows the system to share common mechanical infrastructure (motor, housing, optics) while incorporating redundant electronic components, achieving fault-tolerance without the prohibitive cost of multiple complete lidar units.
2Reliability
If multiple lidar systems are used to provide redundancy, then reliability is improved, but weight increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lidar system into mechanical and electronic portions, the patent enables redundancy only in the lightweight electronic/software modules while sharing the heavier mechanical components. This significantly reduces the weight penalty compared to using multiple complete lidar systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of multiple electronic modules with a single mechanical platform creates a compact redundant system that minimizes weight. The shared mechanical infrastructure supports multiple lightweight electronic modules, achieving fault-tolerance with minimal weight increase.
3Reliability
If multiple lidar systems are used to provide redundancy, then reliability is improved, but size increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the system allows the compact electronic modules to be arranged within or near the single mechanical housing, rather than requiring separate housings for each lidar unit. This maintains a compact overall size while providing redundancy in the electronic portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Merging multiple electronic modules into a single integrated platform with shared mechanical components creates a space-efficient redundant system. The compact arrangement of electronic modules within the shared housing achieves fault-tolerance without excessive volume increase.
4Device complexity
If a single lidar system is used, then cost is reduced, but reliability decreases due to single-points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and segments the electronic/software components (transmitters, receivers, processors, controllers) as separate failable units within the lidar system. This segmentation enables targeted redundancy implementation in these components without requiring a complete second lidar system, thus improving reliability while controlling cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies redundancy locally to specific electronic modules rather than uniformly across the entire system. Each electronic module can be replicated or backed up independently, providing fault-tolerance exactly where needed in the electronic subsystem while avoiding unnecessary redundancy in the mechanical subsystem.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, a lidar system is a lidar system which includes one set of mechanical, e.g., optical, components, and two or more sets of electrical and/or software components. The beams which are provided by the optical components are effectively alternated between a first and second sets of electrical and/or software components. The redundancy provided by the first and second sets of electrical and/or software components allows the lidar system to remain operational in the event that one set of electrical and/or software components becomes non-operational.