Wide-View LiDAR Scanning for High-Resolution Reflective Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems have fixed angular resolution, which can lead to inadequate detection of obstacles, especially edges, moving objects, distant objects, and objects with insufficient resolution in autonomous vehicle navigation, as they lack adaptive scanning capabilities to enhance resolution in critical areas.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR device with dynamically adjustable angular resolution by modifying the laser pulse rate or beam slew rate to provide enhanced scanning in identified regions, such as edges, moving objects, or distant features, allowing for higher spatial resolution in point cloud data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed angular resolution scanning is used, then the scanning speed and coverage area are maintained, but the detection precision of edges, moving objects, and distant objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of angular resolution by modifying the laser pulse rate or beam slew rate based on identified regions of interest. The LIDAR system transitions from fixed to variable angular resolution, allowing enhanced scanning in critical areas such as edges, moving objects, and distant features while maintaining standard resolution in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different angular resolution levels to different regions of the scanning zone. Regions identified as containing edges, moving objects, or distant features receive enhanced angular resolution through increased pulse rate or reduced beam slew rate, while other regions maintain standard resolution, optimizing overall system performance.
2Measurement precision
If enhanced angular resolution scanning is applied to all regions, then the detection precision improves, but the scanning time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selectively applies enhanced angular resolution only to specific regions identified as containing edges, moving objects, or distant features. This localized approach allows the system to improve detection precision where needed while maintaining standard scanning speed in other regions, thus avoiding the productivity loss that would result from applying enhanced resolution universally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial enhanced scanning by applying increased pulse rate or reduced beam slew rate only to identified regions of interest rather than the entire scanning zone. This partial action approach achieves sufficient detection precision for critical objects while maintaining overall scanning productivity.
3Measurement precision
If higher pulse rate is used, then the angular resolution and measurement precision improve, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the laser pulse rate only when scanning identified regions of interest such as edges, moving objects, and distant features. This localized increase in pulse rate improves angular resolution where needed while minimizing energy consumption by maintaining standard pulse rates in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies higher pulse rate temporarily and selectively only to specific angular regions containing objects of interest, rather than maintaining high pulse rate continuously across the entire scanning zone. This partial application of excessive action achieves enhanced measurement precision when needed while controlling overall energy consumption.
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
Enables improved obstacle detection and navigation by increasing the angular resolution in specific areas, enhancing the accuracy of object identification and avoidance in autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Individual points are measured by generating a laser pulse and detecting a returning pulse, if any, reflected from an environmental object
Implementation Method 2
determining the distance to the reflective object according to the time delay between the emitted pulse and the reception of the reflected pulse
Implementation Method 3
The solid angle defined by each emitted light pulse is influenced by the narrowness of the emitted pulse (e.g., the amount of beam divergence)
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method include scanning a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device through a range of orientations corresponding to a scanning zone while emitting light pulses from the LIDAR device. The method also includes receiving returning light pulses corresponding to the light pulses emitted from the LIDAR device and determining initial point cloud data based on time delays between emitting the light pulses and receiving the corresponding returning light pulses and the orientations of the LIDAR device. The initial point cloud data has an initial angular resolution. The method includes identifying, based on the initial point cloud data, a reflective feature in the scanning zone and determining an enhancement region and an enhanced angular resolution for a subsequent scan to provide a higher spatial resolution in at least a portion of subsequent point cloud data from the subsequent scan corresponding to the reflective feature.