LIDAR Signal Encoding for Power and Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time of flight LIDAR systems require high power levels and are sensitive to ambient light, while FMCW LIDAR systems need to transmit signals for extended periods, necessitating a more efficient method for generating LIDAR data with reduced power and time.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system that encodes output signals with a binary code and measures the time for these signals to return after reflection, using differential phase keying to reduce phase distortion and interference, allowing for efficient data generation with lower power and shorter transmission times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Time of flight LIDAR systems transmit signals at high power levels, then LIDAR data can be generated, but power consumption increases and sensitivity to ambient light worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the modulation parameter from direct time-of-flight measurement to encoded phase modulation. By encoding binary codes in the phase of continuous wave signals and using phase correlation for distance measurement, the system achieves accurate LIDAR data with significantly reduced power consumption and immunity to ambient light interference.
2Measurement precision
If FMCW LIDAR systems transmit signals for long durations, then LIDAR data for a single region can be generated, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encoding binary codes into the phase of transmitted signals before transmission. This allows the receiver to quickly correlate and identify the encoded sequence, dramatically reducing the measurement time compared to traditional FMCW systems that require long chirp durations for single-region mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic transmission of encoded binary sequences at different spatial locations. By systematically varying the encoded sequences and using correlation detection, the system efficiently maps multiple regions in rapid succession, reducing overall transmission time while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If encoded binary code signals are transmitted, then power consumption and transmission time are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scanning and timing systems with electronic phase encoding and correlation detection. Instead of using mechanical means to measure time-of-flight or frequency modulation, the system uses electronic modulation of light phase with binary codes and electronic correlation processing, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving productivity.
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 LIDAR data generation with reduced power consumption and shorter transmission times, improving efficiency and reliability by minimizing interference and phase distortion, and effectively handling multiple LIDAR systems and ambient light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Time of flight LIDAR systems are a type of LIDAR system that measures the time for a signal transmitted from the LIDAR system to return to the LIDAR system
Implementation Method 2
A LIDAR system that encodes output signals with a binary code and measures the time for these signals to return after reflection, using differential phase keying to reduce phase distortion and interference
Data Source
AI summary
The LIDAR system is encodes a system output signal with a binary code. Additionally, the LIDAR system identifies an amount of time between the binary code being transmitted from the LIDAR system and returning to the LIDAR system after being reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system.