Lidar Scan Pattern Flexibility Using Stacked Multifaceted Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face challenges in accommodating various field of view and scan pattern designs within a compact mechanical volume, particularly in autonomous vehicle applications where space and flexibility in scan patterns are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The LIDAR system employs a combination of multifaceted mirrors and 1D scanning mirrors to dynamically alter scan patterns, allowing for a wide range of optical components to be integrated within a small mechanical volume, enabling flexible scan patterns and increased scan pattern density by using multiple rangefinders and scanning mirrors that operate independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scanning mirrors and multifaceted mirrors are used to provide various scan patterns, then adaptability and scan pattern flexibility are improved, but device complexity and mechanical volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the scanning function into multiple independent components: multiple rangefinders, multiple 1D scanning mirrors, and multiple multifaceted mirrors. Each component can be independently controlled to generate different scan patterns, allowing the system to achieve high adaptability while keeping each individual component relatively simple and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rangefinder-mirror pair is designed to be multi-functional, capable of generating multiple different scan patterns by coordinating the movement of the 1D scanning mirror and the rotation of the multifaceted mirror. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple scanning functions, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple rangefinders and scanning mirrors operate independently to increase scan pattern density, then measurement precision and scan density are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent rangefinder-mirror assemblies that can operate simultaneously to capture data at different spatial locations and angles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high scan pattern density and measurement precision by combining data from multiple independent measurement channels, while each individual channel remains relatively simple.
3Volume of moving object
If the mechanical volume of the LIDAR system is reduced for autonomous vehicle applications, then ease of integration is improved, but the ability to accommodate various field of view and scan pattern designs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a nested arrangement where multiple multifaceted mirrors are stacked vertically in a compact configuration. The 1D scanning mirrors are positioned to direct light paths through the nested structure to the appropriate multifaceted mirrors. This nesting allows multiple scanning functions to be packed into a small mechanical volume while maintaining the ability to generate various field of view and scan pattern designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vertical stacking of multifaceted mirrors in the third dimension to achieve multiple scanning functions without increasing the horizontal footprint. By utilizing the vertical dimension for mirror stacking and light path routing, the system accommodates various field of view designs within a compact mechanical volume suitable for autonomous vehicle integration.
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 configuration allows for real-time, long-range measurements of distance and velocity across two dimensions, providing a compact and adaptable LIDAR system capable of changing scan patterns based on environmental conditions, enhancing integration and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) LIDAR systems use tunable lasers for frequency-chirped illumination of targets, and coherent receivers for detection of backscattered or reflected light from the targets
Implementation Method 2
The horizontal axis is scanned by reflecting the rangefinder's optical beam from a multifaceted mirror that rotates, while the vertical axis is scanned by a one-dimensional (1D) scanning mirror that directs the optical beam to different vertical points on the multifaceted mirror
Implementation Method 3
The horizontal axis is scanned by reflecting the rangefinder's optical beam from a multifaceted mirror that rotates
Implementation Method 4
Mixing the local copy with the return signal, delayed by the round-trip time to the target and back, generates a beat frequency at the receiver that is proportional to the distance to each target in the field of view of the system
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system that includes an optical processing system to transmit an optical beam and receive a return signal responsive to transmission of the optical beam. The system also includes a 1D scanning mirror to reflect the optical beam from the optical processing system to a plurality of multifaceted mirrors. The system also includes a first multifaceted mirror and a second multifaceted mirror coupled to the first multifaceted mirror in a stacked configuration. The 1D scanning mirror is controllable to direct the optical beam to the first multifaceted mirror to generate a first scan pattern and to the second multifaceted mirror to generate a second scan pattern.