Lidar Scanner Controller Adapting Pulse Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face limitations in balancing repetition rate, eye safety, and range due to physical limitations of laser light sources, which can restrict performance in terms of resolution and range, particularly in applications like autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system with a controller that emits a test pulse to gather information for adapting scan parameters, such as pulse strength and angular velocity, based on reflections, allowing flexible adjustment of scanning parameters to optimize between technical limitations, eye safety, and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the repetition rate of laser pulses is increased to improve measurement speed and resolution, then productivity is improved, but eye safety is compromised due to excessive laser exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the laser pulse repetition rate variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the repetition rate based on detected object characteristics - using higher rates for distant objects requiring detailed scanning and lower rates for nearby objects where eye safety is more critical. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the productivity-enhancing parameter to contextual requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter of pulse repetition rate based on spatial parameters (object distance) and reflective properties. By modifying this key parameter dynamically, the system optimizes measurement speed when safe and reduces exposure when necessary, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and eye safety.
2Length of moving object
If the laser pulse strength is increased to extend measurement range, then the measurement range is improved, but the laser light source may be damaged due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the laser pulse strength variable rather than constant. The system dynamically adjusts pulse energy based on the measured distance to objects - using higher strength pulses for distant targets to extend range while using lower strength pulses for nearby objects to prevent thermal damage to the laser source. This resolves the contradiction between extending measurement range and ensuring source durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the energy parameter of laser pulses based on spatial context (object distance). By changing this parameter dynamically, the system achieves extended measurement range when necessary while protecting the laser light source from thermal damage through reduced power output for nearby objects, directly addressing the contradiction between range and reliability.
3Productivity
If the angular velocity of the laser scanner is increased to improve scanning speed, then productivity is improved, but the resolution of distance measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the angular velocity of the laser scanner variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts scanning speed based on object characteristics - using lower angular velocities for distant objects where higher resolution is needed and higher angular velocities for nearby objects where scanning speed is more critical. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the speed parameter to contextual requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular velocity parameter of the laser scanner based on object distance and spatial context. By modifying this parameter dynamically, the system optimizes scanning speed when appropriate while maintaining measurement precision when needed, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If the laser scanner continuously scans all angular ranges to maintain high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but the repetition rate must be reduced to ensure eye safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the scanning strategy based on spatial location and object characteristics. Instead of uniformly scanning all angular ranges at constant parameters, the system applies different repetition rates and pulse strengths to different angular regions based on detected object properties. This allows high resolution in regions containing objects of interest while maintaining higher overall productivity by adjusting parameters locally rather than globally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the scanning pattern and parameters based on real-time detection results. When objects are detected in specific angular ranges, the system increases the repetition rate and adjusts pulse parameters for those specific regions while maintaining lower rates in other regions. This dynamic, selective approach resolves the contradiction by achieving high resolution where needed without globally reducing the repetition rate.
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 flexible and rapid adaptation of scanning parameters, improving the balance between laser light source constraints and performance, allowing for more precise distance measurement and enhanced image quality while ensuring eye safety.
Implementation Method 1
The objects in the vicinity reflect the laser light. These reflections can then be measured. By determining the transit time of the laser light, a distance to the objects can be determined.
Implementation Method 2
By determining the transit time of the laser light, a distance to the objects can be determined.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a LIDAR system (100) comprising a laser scanner (101) with at least one laser light source (111). The laser scanner (101) is designed to emit laser pulses (191) into multiple angular regions. A controller is designed to actuate the at least one laser light source (111) in order to emit at least one first laser pulse (191) into a specific angular region and to carry out a LIDAR measurement on the basis of a reflection (192) of the at least one first laser pulse (191). The controller (102) is additionally designed to change at least one scan parameter of the laser scanner (101) on the basis of the LIDAR measurement and to then actuate the at least one laser light source (111) so as to selectively emit at least one second laser pulse (191) into the specific angular region.