Lidar Velocity Acquisition via Frequency Shift Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle navigation, collision avoidance, and autonomous driving systems face challenges in accurately ascertaining the position and movement of objects in an environment, which is difficult to replicate with existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR-based approach using a laser transmitter and receiver to generate 3D images of the environment, providing distance and velocity data of objects through frequency delay and shift analysis, enabling precise characterization of the local environment, including non-mechanical beam steering for stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LIDAR is used to provide velocity data through frequency shift analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system performs multiple functions using the same hardware components: it measures both distance (through time-of-flight or phase delay) and velocity (through Doppler frequency shift) of objects, eliminating the need for separate radar systems and reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced measurements performed
2Reliability
If LIDAR provides accurate 3D imaging and velocity data, then navigation reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system uses continuous wave laser signals rather than pulsed signals, allowing for continuous measurement of both distance and velocity through frequency analysis, which provides reliable navigation data while reducing peak power requirements compared to high-energy pulsed systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter of the continuous laser wave to encode distance and velocity information, allowing accurate measurements to be obtained through frequency modulation and demodulation rather than through high-energy pulse transmission
3Measurement precision
If LIDAR scans 3D objects with laser light to generate images, then measurement precision is improved, but speed of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system uses periodic frequency modulation of the continuous laser wave, modulating the frequency at specific rates to encode range and velocity information, which allows precise 3D imaging to be achieved through repeated periodic measurements rather than through rapid single-shot scanning
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 provides accurate 3D imaging and velocity data of objects, enhancing the capability of vehicle navigation systems to operate safely and effectively, particularly in complex environments, with improved precision and reduced size, mass, and power requirements compared to radar sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The laser transmitter is configured and arranged to scan three-dimensional (3D) objects in a local environment with laser light, and the laser receiver is configured and arranged to receive reflections of the scanned laser light from the 3D objects
Implementation Method 2
provide for each of the 3D objects, distance and velocity of the 3D object relative to the laser transmitter based on a frequency delay and frequency shift of one of the reflections of the scanned laser light from the object, relative to the scanned laser light
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to imaging an environment and providing velocity characteristics of one or more objects in the imaged environment. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, objects in a local environment are scanned with laser light, and reflections of the scanned laser light from the objects are received and processed to generate a 3D image of the local environment. Distance and velocity of each object is provided or detected based on a frequency delay and frequency shift of one or more reflections of the scanned laser light from the object. For instance, the 3D image may provide relative position of an object and indicate velocity of the object, which may be ascertained based on a frequency shift.