LiDAR Sensor Control Device Adjusting Light Receiving Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting road surfaces using LiDAR struggle with low peak power of reflected light, especially at larger distances, making accurate detection challenging.
Innovation Solution
A sensor control device that adjusts the light receiving level of the LiDAR based on map information, increasing sensitivity for regions estimated to be road surfaces and adjusting levels to avoid saturation from obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the LiDAR receives reflected light from the road surface with a small incident angle, then the detection range is extended, but the peak power of the reflected light becomes low making detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of road surface regions using map information and vehicle state data before light reception. This allows the light receiving level to be adjusted in advance for regions where road surfaces are expected, ensuring optimal sensitivity is applied before the actual detection occurs, thereby maintaining detection accuracy even for distant road surfaces with low reflected light power
Solution Approach 2:
The light receiving level is adjusted locally for specific regions identified as road surfaces, rather than uniformly across all detection regions. This allows the system to enhance sensitivity specifically for road surface regions while maintaining appropriate levels for other regions, resolving the contradiction between extended detection range and detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the light receiving level is increased to detect low-power reflected light from distant road surfaces, then detection sensitivity is improved, but signal saturation may occur from obstacles with high reflected light
Solution Approach 1:
Different light receiving levels are applied to different regions based on their identification as road surface or obstacle. Road surface regions receive enhanced sensitivity through higher light receiving levels, while obstacle regions maintain standard levels to prevent saturation. This spatially differentiated approach resolves the contradiction between sensitivity and saturation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses map information and vehicle state data to provide feedback about expected road surface locations, which then guides the adjustment of light receiving levels. This feedback mechanism allows proactive optimization of detection sensitivity while avoiding saturation by preventing excessive gain application in regions where obstacles are likely to be detected
3Measurement precision
If multiple TOF pixels are used to combine light receiving signals, then the S/N ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical configuration of the sensor to use multiple TOF pixels, the system changes the operational parameter of light receiving level to improve S/N ratio. By adjusting the light receiving level based on region identification, the system achieves signal enhancement without adding hardware complexity, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
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
Improves detection accuracy of road surfaces even under conditions of low peak reflected light power by enhancing light receiving sensitivity and preventing signal saturation.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor having an emitting unit which emits light toward a predetermined region and a light receiving unit which receives reflected light of the emitted light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An accuracy of detection of a road surface or the like is improved even in a state where a peak power of reflected light is low. A sensor control device (2) is configured to be mounted in a vehicle C capable of acquiring a current location and configured to control a LiDAR (1) having a light source (11) which emits light to a predetermined region and a light receiving element (17) which receives reflected light of the emitted light, and the sensor control device (2) includes an adjustment unit (22) which acquires map information (21a) and adjusts a light receiving level of a light receiving signal of the light receiving element (17). The adjustment unit (22) determines, based on the map information, a region for which the light receiving level with respect to the light receiving signal is to be adjusted.