Light Pulse Driver Circuit Using a Capacitive Voltage Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face challenges in generating narrow laser pulses efficiently due to high current demands and the limitations of sophisticated and expensive driver circuits, leading to increased costs and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device with a driving arrangement that uses a switching element and a capacitive voltage divider to provide a high driving voltage exceeding the maximum allowable input voltage of the switching element, allowing fast charging of the input capacitance and enabling the generation of narrow light pulses without relying on expensive driver circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high driving voltage is applied to charge the input capacitance quickly, then the switching speed is improved, but the switching element may be damaged due to exceeding the maximum allowable input voltage
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitive voltage divider is introduced as an intermediary between the high-voltage driving element and the switching element. This voltage divider consists of a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series, which divides the high driving voltage into two lower voltages. The first capacitor is charged through the first voltage portion, and the second capacitor is charged through the second voltage portion, thereby protecting the switching element from overvoltage while enabling fast charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The high driving voltage is segmented into two separate voltage portions using the capacitive voltage divider. The first voltage portion charges the first capacitor, and the second voltage portion charges the second capacitor. This segmentation allows the system to utilize high voltage for fast charging while ensuring that no single component is exposed to the full high voltage, thus maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If sophisticated driver circuits are used to control the light source, then the performance is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, sophisticated driver circuits with a simpler, more cost-effective driving arrangement. This arrangement uses basic electronic components such as capacitors, resistors, and a high-voltage switching element to achieve the desired performance. The solution sacrifices the use of complex integrated driver circuits in favor of a simpler component-based approach that is both cheaper and easier to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex driver circuit functionality is extracted and replaced by individual, simpler components. Instead of using a monolithic driver circuit, the patent uses separate capacitors, resistors, and switching elements to perform the same control function. This extraction allows for a more modular and cost-effective design while maintaining the required performance for generating narrow light pulses.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a high current is used to charge the input capacitance quickly, then the pulse width is reduced, but the switching element may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive voltage divider acts as an intermediary that enables high current flow during the charging process without exposing the switching element to damaging voltage levels. The first and second capacitors are charged through controlled current paths that limit the voltage across the switching element while allowing sufficient current to achieve the desired fast charging and narrow pulse width.
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 solution enables the generation of narrow light pulses, enhancing the detection range of LIDAR systems while reducing costs and complexity by utilizing a cost-effective driving arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
the voltage control element and an input of the switching element are coupled to one another in such a way that the voltage control element and the input of the switching element form a capacitive voltage divider
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a light emitting device includes a light source, a switching element having an input capacitance associated therewith, the switching element being configured to control a current flow to the light source in accordance with a charging of the input capacitance, a voltage control element coupled with the switching element and having a voltage supply node, the voltage control element having a second capacitance associated therewith, wherein the voltage control element and an input of the switching element are coupled to one another such that the voltage control element and the input of the switching element form a capacitive voltage divider and a driving element configured to provide a driving voltage at the voltage supply node, the driving voltage being greater than a maximum allowable input voltage of the switching element, wherein a relationship between the input capacitance and the second capacitance is in accordance with a relationship between the driving voltage and the maximum allowable input voltage.