LIDAR Return-Signal Multiplexing to Cut ADC Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing the number of system output signals transmitted by a LIDAR system to enhance resolution and scanning speed necessitates a practical solution that reduces the number of electrical components, particularly analog-to-digital converters, which are costly.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system that concurrently receives multiple system return signals using a data signal generator with multiple light sensors, generates data signals at beat frequencies, and employs a single analog-to-digital converter to process these signals in series, along with a switch controller to manage data signal output during specific switch windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of system output signals is increased to enhance resolution and scanning speed, then the LIDAR system performance is improved, but the number of electrical components particularly analog-to-digital converters increases leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time-multiplexed switching where a single analog-to-digital converter sequentially processes data signals from multiple channels during specific time windows. Each channel is assigned a particular time slot within a periodic cycle, allowing the converter to handle multiple channels over time rather than requiring simultaneous processing capability. This periodic time-division approach enables one converter to replace what would traditionally require multiple converters, directly reducing component count while maintaining the ability to process multiple channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension to the signal processing architecture by implementing time-multiplexed data acquisition. Instead of processing all channels simultaneously in the spatial domain (which would require multiple converters), the system processes channels sequentially in the time domain using a single converter. This dimensional shift from spatial parallelism to temporal sequencing allows the system to maintain multi-channel capability with reduced hardware complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the number of system output signals is increased to enhance resolution and scanning speed, then the LIDAR data quality is improved, but the manufacturing and operational costs increase due to more electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time-multiplexed switching where a single analog-to-digital converter sequentially processes data signals from multiple channels during specific time windows. Each channel is assigned a particular time slot within a periodic cycle, allowing the converter to handle multiple channels over time rather than requiring simultaneous processing capability. This periodic time-division approach enables one converter to replace what would traditionally require multiple converters, directly reducing component count and associated manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to process multiple channels for high-resolution LIDAR data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple analog-to-digital converters into a single converter by implementing time-multiplexed operation. Instead of having separate converters for each channel, the system combines all conversion functions into one shared resource that serves multiple channels through temporal division. This consolidation reduces the total number of expensive electronic components required, directly lowering manufacturing costs while preserving the system's multi-channel measurement precision capability.
3Productivity
If the number of system output signals is increased to enhance resolution and scanning speed, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the number of electrical components increases leading to higher operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time-multiplexed switching where a single analog-to-digital converter sequentially processes data signals from multiple channels during specific time windows. Each channel is assigned a particular time slot within a periodic cycle, allowing the converter to handle multiple channels over time rather than requiring simultaneous processing capability. This periodic time-division approach enables one converter to replace what would traditionally require multiple converters, directly reducing component count while maintaining the ability to process multiple channels for comprehensive field of view coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal analog-to-digital converter that serves multiple channels through time-multiplexed operation. Instead of dedicating a separate converter to each channel, a single multi-functional converter is designed to handle data from any of the multiple channels by switching between them according to a time schedule. This universal approach allows one component to perform the work of multiple dedicated components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full field of view scanning capability.
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 reduces the number of analog-to-digital converters required, lowering manufacturing and operational costs while maintaining high resolution and scanning speed.
Implementation Method 1
The data signal generator has multiple light sensors that each receives light from a different one of the system return signals. The data signal generator generates data signals that are each an electrical signal beating at a beat frequency. Each of the data signals is generated from the light from a different one of the system return signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system concurrently receives multiple different system return signals that have each been reflected by an object located external to the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system has a data signal generator with multiple light sensors that each receives light from a different one of the system return signals. The data signal generator generates data signals that are each an electrical signal beating at a beat frequency. Each of the data signals is generated from the light from a different one of the system return signals. The LIDAR system includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the data signal in series.