Lidar Reference Receiver Channel Gain Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light detection and ranging (Lidar) systems in automotive applications face challenges due to mismatch between optical receiver channels, leading to detection errors and reduced availability.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a reference receiver channel and comparators to adjust the gain of amplifiers in separate receiver channels, ensuring matched output across channels by comparing outputs to the reference channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate optical receiver channels are used for each optical sensor, then the system can process multiple sensor signals simultaneously, but mismatch between channels leads to detection errors and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output of each receiver channel is fed back to its corresponding amplifier. The amplifier adjusts its gain based on the feedback signal to equalize the output levels across all channels. This closed-loop feedback system continuously compensates for mismatches in optical sensor responsivity and amplifier characteristics, ensuring reliable detection accuracy while maintaining parallel processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the gain parameter of each amplifier based on the actual performance characteristics of its corresponding optical sensor. By measuring the output level of each channel and adjusting the amplifier gain accordingly, the system adapts to variations in sensor responsivity and maintains consistent detection accuracy across all channels
2Manufacturing precision
If amplifier gain is trimmed at low frequency, then matching between receiver channels is improved, but aging and stress over lifetime cause further mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous gain adjustment throughout the system's operational lifetime, rather than a one-time trim during manufacturing. The feedback mechanism operates continuously, constantly monitoring and adjusting amplifier gains to compensate for aging effects, thermal drift, and stress-induced changes in optical sensors and amplifiers, thereby maintaining channel matching accuracy throughout the entire system lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of amplifier gains without requiring external intervention or recalibration. The feedback loop automatically detects mismatches and corrects them by adjusting the amplifier parameters, enabling the system to self-compensate for component aging and environmental changes throughout its operational life
3Adaptability or versatility
If different optical sensors are used by different customers, then system versatility is improved, but mismatch between channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality adjustment by individually tailoring the gain of each amplifier to match its corresponding optical sensor's characteristics. Instead of requiring all sensors to be uniformly matched, the system locally adapts each amplifier's gain parameter to compensate for the specific sensor's responsivity variations, enabling the use of different sensor types while maintaining overall channel matching
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the gain parameter of each amplifier based on the specific optical sensor connected to that channel. By measuring the actual output level of each sensor-amplifier combination and adjusting the amplifier gain accordingly, the system accommodates different optical sensors from various manufacturers while maintaining consistent detection accuracy across all channels
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 enables online detection and correction of mismatches, enhancing the predictability, accuracy, and resolution of Lidar systems while allowing flexibility in choosing optical sensors.
Implementation Method 1
multiple receiving optical sensors (4) for receiving a light signal from the surroundings of the light detection and ranging system
Implementation Method 2
each separate receiver channel comprising an amplifier (9) with adjustable gain for amplifying the signal of the corresponding receiving optical sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a light detection and ranging system (1) additionally comprising: a reference receiver channel (12) and at least one comparator (13) for comparing the output of the reference receiver channel (12) and the output of each of the separate receiver channels (8) to a second emitted light signal (11), the reference receiver channel (12) comprising a reference optical sensor (14) and a reference amplifier (15), wherein the at least one comparator (13) can adjust the gain of the amplifiers (9) of each separate receiver channels (8) based on the result of the comparison of the output of the reference receiver channel (12) and the output of the corresponding separate receiver channel (8). The invention further relates to an optical receiver system (7) and a method for operating a light detection and ranging system (1) .