LiDAR Wavelength Tuning Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving fast and efficient beam scanning due to the long time required for wavelength tuning and the high cost associated with expanding the tuning range.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR system that utilizes a plurality of optical channels emitting light beams with tunable wavelengths, a collimating lens, and a dispersion element, such as a diffraction grating, to achieve sequential and non-overlapping scanning angle ranges through wavelength tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single optical channel with large wavelength tuning range is used, then the scanning area is large, but the scanning speed is slow and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single optical channel into multiple optical channels (first optical channel, second optical channel, etc.), each with its own light source. Each channel is assigned a specific wavelength range, and through wavelength tuning within that range, the emergent light beams achieve sequential non-overlapping scanning. This segmentation enables parallel scanning across different wavelength ranges, significantly improving scanning speed while maintaining a large overall scanning area.
2Area of stationary object
If a single optical channel with large wavelength tuning range is used, then the scanning area is large, but the system cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wavelength tuning range across multiple optical channels, where each channel handles a specific portion of the spectrum. This allows the use of smaller, less expensive wavelength tuning components in each channel compared to requiring a single channel to cover the entire range. The collimating lens and dispersion element are shared across channels, further reducing overall system cost while achieving large scanning area.
3Speed
If multiple optical channels with small wavelength tuning range are used, then the scanning speed is fast, but the scanning area coverage has gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different wavelength ranges to different optical channels based on their spatial positions. The first optical channel handles a first wavelength range, the second optical channel handles a second wavelength range, and so on. The collimating lens and dispersion element are positioned to direct emergent light beams from each channel to specific angular ranges. By carefully designing the wavelength ranges and optical paths, the patent ensures that the scanning areas of different channels are sequentially adjacent and non-overlapping, achieving complete coverage without gaps while maintaining fast scanning speed.
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 enables rapid and efficient beam scanning over a large area by tuning a smaller wavelength range, meeting the fast scanning requirements of LiDAR systems while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens disposed on one side, in light emitting directions, of the plurality of optical channels and configured to perform a collimating operation on the plurality of light beams
Implementation Method 2
a dispersion element disposed on a side, away from the plurality of optical channels, of the collimating lens, wherein the plurality of light beams respectively generate a plurality of emergent light beams after passing through the dispersion element
Implementation Method 3
the dispersion element includes a diffraction grating
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR system and a design method of the LiDAR system are provided. The LiDAR system includes: optical channels configured to emit light beams; a collimating lens, provided on one side, in a light exit direction, of the optical channels and configured to perform collimation operation on the light beams; and a dispersion element, provided on a side, away from the optical channels, of the collimating lens; wherein the light beams respectively generate outgoing light beams after passing through the dispersion element, wherein the wavelength of each light beam in the light beams is tunable, so that the outgoing light beam corresponding to each light beam performs light beam scanning, and scanning angle ranges of the outgoing light beams corresponding to the light beams are sequentially adjacent and are basically not overlapped.