Vehicle LIDAR Solid-State Laser Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle LIDAR systems face limitations in range, resolution, and eye safety due to mechanical rotation or deflection of optics, and struggle with high pulse powers and energies at shorter wavelengths, which affect signal-to-noise ratio and installation flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle LIDAR system utilizing a high-brightness solid-state laser with wavelengths greater than 900 nm, combined with a movably situated mirror for beam deflection, enabling longer range and improved resolution, and a CMOS-compatible image sensor for dual LIDAR and image detection functions, enhancing installation flexibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical rotation or deflection of optics is used in conventional LIDAR systems, then the illumination area can be adjusted, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation or deflection of optics with a solid-state laser array that electronically controls beam direction. The laser array can be operated to replace mechanically rotated or deflected reflective optics, eliminating moving parts while maintaining the ability to adjust illumination area through electronic control of individual laser elements.
2Length of stationary object
If higher pulse power is used to extend detection range, then the range increases, but eye safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to at least 900 nm (preferably at least 1000 nm), which is in the eye-safe region of the spectrum. This allows the system to use higher pulse powers (at least 50 W maximum power per pulse) to extend detection range to up to 200 m while remaining within eye safety guidelines according to DIN 60825.
3Illumination intensity
If shorter wavelength laser is used, then the beam quality improves, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to high pulse powers and energies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the wavelength parameter to at least 900 nm (preferably at least 1000 nm), moving to a region where the signal-to-noise ratio is improved despite using high pulse powers. This wavelength change maintains adequate beam quality while operating in an eye-safe region that reduces background noise interference.
4Device complexity
If fixed laser position is used, then the system is simpler, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a solid-state laser array with electronic beam steering capability that can be installed in arbitrary positions in the vehicle. The electronic control replaces mechanical positioning mechanisms, allowing the laser to maintain optimal orientation and illumination area adjustment without complex mechanical mounting systems.
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
The system achieves an extended detection range of up to 200 m with high resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio, while ensuring eye safety and compact installation, with the solid-state laser's high brightness and the mirror's movability allowing flexible beam control and reduced laser radiation losses.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state laser having a brightness of at least 100 kW/(mm2 sr), which is designed to emit laser pulses having a wavelength of at least 900 nm
Implementation Method 2
at least one movably situated mirror for deflecting the laser pulses in the direction of objects to be detected
Implementation Method 3
a time of flight measurement of the laser pulses is carried out with the aid of the vehicle LIDAR system, so that advantageously a distance measurement with respect to objects to be detected may be carried out
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle LIDAR system, including: a solid-state laser having a brightness of at least 100 kW/(mm2 sr), which is designed to emit laser pulses having a wavelength of at least 900 nm and a maximum power per laser pulse of at least 50 W; at least one movably situated mirror for deflecting the laser pulses in the direction of objects to be detected; a receiver for detecting the laser pulses reflected by the objects.