LIDAR Signal Processor Noise Threshold Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR apparatuses face limitations in sensing distance due to a decrease in the magnitude of the reflected wave signal as distance increases, leading to inaccurate distance measurements.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a signal processor that amplifies noise signals, adjusts thresholds based on monitored noise signals, and includes a digital-to-analog converter to enhance the detection of reflected wave signals, allowing for increased sensing distances by dynamically adjusting the threshold in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the sensing distance is increased, then the lidar can detect objects farther away, but the magnitude of the reflected wave signal decreases leading to inaccurate distance measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment based on monitored noise signal characteristics. The threshold is no longer fixed but adapts in real-time to changing environmental conditions and signal strengths, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision across varying sensing distances by optimizing the detection criterion for each specific condition
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the noise signal and uses this feedback to adjust the threshold parameter. By measuring the actual noise characteristics and feeding this information back to the threshold adjustment mechanism, the system automatically compensates for signal degradation at longer distances, maintaining accurate detection without requiring manual recalibration
2Ease of operation
If a fixed threshold is used for signal detection, then the system is simple to operate, but weak reflected signals at long distances cannot be detected accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own noise characteristics and autonomously optimizing the detection threshold. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual threshold calibration while improving detection reliability, as the system adapts to its specific operating environment automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection threshold parameter dynamically based on monitored noise signal characteristics. By adjusting this critical parameter in response to actual operating conditions rather than using a fixed value, the system maintains high detection reliability across different sensing distances and environmental conditions
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 enables the detection of objects that were previously unsensed by increasing the sensing distance, even when the magnitude of the reflected wave signal is reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an amplifier which amplifies the noise signal
Implementation Method 2
a photodiode (PD) for sensing a distance between vehicles or between obstacles. More specifically, light emitted from the laser diode hit an object and returned, and then a reflected light is absorbed in the photodiode, which converts it into current to output a signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for increasing a lidar sensing distance may include a controller having a signal processor to process a noise signal. In particular, the signal processor includes: an amplifier which amplifies the noise signal, a comparator which is connected to the amplifier and receives the amplified noise signal to compare the amplified noise signal with a threshold, a digital-to-analog converter which inputs the threshold to the comparator, and an analog-to-digital converter which is connected between the amplifier and the comparator and receives the amplified noise signal from the amplifier to input the received amplified noise signal to the controller. The controller may control the digital-to-analog converter on the basis of the amplified noise signal.