Lidar Calibration via Optical Waveguide Target Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems face challenges in accurate calibration, particularly in confined spaces, due to limitations in simulating target distances and reflectance properties, which affects their accuracy and reliability in real-world applications.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system that uses an optical network to simulate target distances and reflectance properties, allowing for precise range and geometric calibration of lidar systems, utilizing transceiver assemblies and optical waveguides to mimic various target scenarios, enabling accurate distance measurement and geometric correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used with physical targets at various distances, then calibration accuracy can be achieved, but the calibration system requires large space and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical waveguides to create virtual copies of calibration targets at different distances. Instead of placing physical targets at multiple distances requiring large space, the system captures light from a single physical target and guides it through optical waveguides to simulate targets at various distances, achieving accurate calibration in a compact space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical waveguides as intermediary elements between the physical target and the lidar system. These waveguides act as mediators that transport light signals and create the illusion of targets at different distances, enabling space-efficient calibration while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If physical calibration targets at various distances are used, then range calibration can be performed, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual calibration targets through optical copying. A single physical target is captured by a camera, and its image is optically replicated and positioned at multiple virtual distances using waveguides, eliminating the need for multiple physical targets and reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates virtual targets at different distances, controls reflectance properties, and enables both range and geometric calibration using a single integrated setup, reducing overall system complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple physical calibration targets with different reflectance properties are used, then accurate geometric calibration can be achieved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates multiple virtual copies of a single calibration target with different reflectance properties. By controlling the optical characteristics of the waveguides and the captured light, the system simulates targets with varying reflectance without requiring multiple physical targets with different materials
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different reflectance properties by changing optical parameters rather than physical target properties. The waveguides and optical system can modify light intensity, phase, and direction to simulate targets with different reflectance characteristics, reducing the quantity of physical targets needed
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 calibration system achieves high accuracy in range calibration within ±5 mm and geometric calibration, offering significant space and cost savings while ensuring reliability and repeatability, making it suitable for both verification and production tuning of lidar systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first optical guide is configured to propagate the received first pulse of light
Implementation Method 2
The system determines the distance to the target based on one or more characteristics associated with the received light. For example, the lidar system may determine the distance to the target based on the time of flight for a pulse of light
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises at a first interface, a first optical guide, a second interface, and a second optical guide. A portion of the first interface is configured to receive a first pulse of light emitted by a lidar device and a portion of the second interface is configured to receive a second pulse of light emitted by the lidar device. The first optical guide is configured to propagate the received first pulse of light, wherein at least a portion of the first interface is configured to emit towards the lidar device a version of the received first pulse that propagated through the first optical guide. The second optical guide is configured to propagate the received second pulse of light, wherein at least a portion of the second interface is configured to emit towards the lidar device a version of the received second pulse that propagated through the second optical guide.