LIDAR Transceiver Resource Sharing With Time-Multiplexed ADCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar sensor systems face challenges in efficiently sharing limited hardware resources, particularly analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and there is a need for a chip-scale package solution to optimize resource allocation in photonic integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
A lidar system with a transceiver module that includes a laser source, optical components, and ADCs, controlled by a processor to alternately turn on and off devices for efficient resource sharing, generating optical and digital signals for object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transceivers are used to improve detection coverage and accuracy, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but hardware resource requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transceivers are merged into a single integrated transceiver module that can perform multiple transmit and receive operations sequentially. The processor coordinates the operation of multiple transceivers, allowing them to share common hardware resources such as ADCs and signal processing circuits, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy through multi-transceiver operation
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver module is designed with multi-functionality to perform both transmission and reception operations, and can be configured to operate in different modes (FM-CW, direct time-of-flight, phase-encoded). This universal design allows a single transceiver module to replace multiple dedicated transceivers, reducing hardware resource requirements while maintaining detection precision through software-configurable operation modes
2Device complexity
If hardware resources are shared among multiple transceivers to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but resource contention and interference may occur affecting reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The processor implements periodic time-division multiplexing where multiple transceivers operate in sequential time slots. Each transceiver is activated in turn with precise timing control, ensuring that resource sharing does not cause interference. This periodic operation allows stable sharing of ADCs and other hardware resources while maintaining system reliability through coordinated access protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor monitors the operation status of shared hardware resources and dynamically adjusts the operation of individual transceivers. This feedback control ensures that resource contention is detected and resolved, maintaining system reliability even when multiple transceivers share limited hardware resources through coordinated operation
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 allows for more effective use of hardware resources, reducing interference and improving detection accuracy and reaction time in autonomous vehicles by using single photon-sensitive FM lidar systems.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source configured to generate a beam
Implementation Method 2
receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, and pair the returned optical signal with the LO signal to generate an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (lidar) system may include a transceiver, a first device including a laser source configured to generate a beam, and one or more optical components, a second device including one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and a processor configured to alternately turn on the first device and turn on the transceiver. The first device may be configured to generate, based on the beam, an optical signal associated with a local oscillator (LO) signal. The transceiver may be configured to transmit the optical signal to an environment, in response to transmitting the optical signal, receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, and pair the returned optical signal with the LO signal to generate an electrical signal. The second device may be configured to generate, based on the electrical signal, a digital signal.