LIDAR Scanner with Segmented Detector Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time-of-flight distance measurement technologies face challenges in efficiently scanning large fields of view with minimal power consumption, mechanical complexity, and maintaining performance under bright lighting conditions, particularly in outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical housing with a photon detector and transmitter configured to produce multiple resolvable azimuth fields-of-view, using a rotary scanner to switch between elevation fields and elongate the receiver's field-of-view, allowing continuous elevation coverage with a stepped scan approach that avoids gaps in coverage through look-ahead functionality and multiple detection elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical steering mirror is used to scan the field of view, then the distance measurement function is achieved, but the power consumption increases and the scanning efficiency decreases due to rapid acceleration and deceleration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The field of view is divided into multiple discrete angular positions corresponding to different detector elements in the linear array. Instead of continuously scanning with a mechanical mirror, the system segments the scanning function into discrete detection channels, each viewing a specific angular sector. This eliminates the need for rapid acceleration and deceleration of a mechanical scanner, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical steering mirror scanning system with an optical detection array system. Instead of mechanically moving a single detector to scan the field, multiple detectors are arranged in a linear array, each optically coupled to view a specific angular range. This substitution of mechanical scanning with a static optical array eliminates the power consumption issues associated with mechanical acceleration and deceleration.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical steering mirror is used to scan the field of view, then the distance measurement function is achieved, but the system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scanning function from the mechanical domain and relocates it to the optical domain. Instead of using a mechanical steering mirror to scan a single detector across the field, the system uses optical elements to direct light from different angular positions to different detector elements simultaneously. This extraction of the scanning function from mechanical movement simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical steering mirror and its actuation system are completely replaced by an optical bench-mounted linear array of detectors with associated optical elements. Each detector element has its own optical path defined by mirrors or lenses, creating a multi-channel detection system that eliminates complex mechanical scanning while achieving the same field of view coverage.
3Speed
If a rotating polygon mirror scanner is used to produce rapid scanning pattern, then the scanning speed increases, but the transmit and receive apertures are limited to small sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple parallel channels, each with its own detector element and optical path. This segmentation allows each detector to have a dedicated, relatively large aperture without requiring the entire aperture to be scanned by a single rotating mirror. The segmented architecture enables larger effective apertures while maintaining rapid data acquisition through parallel detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-detector time-sequential scanning approach to a multi-detector spatial-parallel detection approach. By adding the dimension of multiple detector elements arranged in a linear array, the system achieves rapid effective scanning through spatial parallelism rather than temporal sequential scanning, allowing for larger apertures in each channel.
4Area of stationary object
If a 45-degree rotational mirror is used to produce 360-degree coverage, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the optical distortion changes and transmitter beam scattering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The field of view is segmented into multiple angular sectors, each detected by a separate detector element with its own optimized optical path. This segmentation allows each optical channel to be designed for its specific angular range, minimizing optical distortion and beam scattering within each sector. The segmented approach avoids the need for a single rotating mirror that would introduce variable distortion across the entire 360-degree field.
Solution Approach 2:
Each detector element in the linear array has its own optical path optimized for its specific angular sector. The optical elements (mirrors, lenses) for each channel are configured to provide optimal performance for that local field region, rather than using a single optical path that must serve all angles. This local optimization minimizes optical distortion and beam scattering in each sector while maintaining comprehensive 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 solution reduces mechanical complexity, power consumption, and maintains performance under bright conditions by providing continuous elevation coverage with improved azimuth and elevation resolution, enabling efficient scanning of large areas with reduced system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
time-of-flight distance measurement based on the calculated round trip delay between the emission of a light pulse in the direction of an object and the subsequent reception of the received signal
Implementation Method 2
The common approach for implementation of the scanning function is the use a mechanical steering mirror driven by an actuator to steer the beam and receiver field of view through the desired region
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanner system comprises a housing, a detector contained within the housing configured to produce at least two resolvable azimuth fields-of-view relative to a center-axis of the housing, and an external scanner rotating relative to the center-axis of the housing, and switching between at least two elevations relative to a nominal optical axis of a receiver. Motion of the housing azimuthally results in the receiver producing a continuous coverage pattern at multiple elevations produced by the external scanner.