Long-Range LiDAR Using Segmented Illuminator Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving high target resolution over long distances due to power limitations, size constraints, and eye safety standards, limiting their range and effectiveness in applications like autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a long-range LiDAR system using an array of narrow-field illuminators and detectors, allowing for simultaneous illumination and detection over larger distances without violating eye safety standards, with each illuminator associated with a respective detector array, enabling higher resolution and frame rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single high-powered laser pulse is used to illuminate a large field-of-view, then the illumination intensity is sufficient, but the range is limited to a couple hundred meters due to power limitations and eye safety standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single high-powered laser into multiple lower-powered laser beams that illuminate different sub-regions of the field-of-view. Each laser beam operates at a lower power level that complies with eye safety standards, yet collectively they illuminate the entire FOV effectively. This segmentation allows the system to extend detection range while maintaining adequate illumination intensity across the full field-of-view.
2Length of moving object
If multiple laser beams are used to extend detection range, then the detection range increases, but the device complexity increases due to multiple illuminators and detector arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the illumination task across multiple laser beams and the detection task across multiple detector arrays, with each segment handling a specific sub-region. This segmentation enables extended detection range while managing complexity through modular architecture where each laser-detector pair operates semi-independently on its assigned sub-region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by arranging multiple laser beams and detector arrays to cover different sub-regions of the field-of-view. By distributing components across multiple spatial locations rather than using a single centralized component, the system achieves extended range while organizing complexity in a structured spatial framework that facilitates management and processing.
3Device complexity
If a single detector array is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the target resolution decreases when detecting objects at long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented across multiple detector arrays, with each array dedicated to detecting reflected light from a specific sub-region illuminated by its corresponding laser beam. This segmentation allows each detector array to focus on a smaller angular range, effectively increasing the resolution for objects within that sub-region while maintaining manageable device complexity through the distributed architecture.
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 long-range LiDAR system achieves higher target resolution and longer detection ranges than conventional systems, while adhering to eye safety standards, enabling more effective 3D object tracking and scanning in applications such as autonomous driving.
Implementation Method 1
illuminate a target area or scene with pulsed laser light and measure how long it takes for reflected pulses to be returned to a receiver
Implementation Method 2
measure how long it takes for reflected pulses to be returned to a receiver
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems. In some embodiments, a LiDAR system comprises a plurality of N illuminators, each of the plurality of N illuminators configured to illuminate a respective one of a plurality of N illuminator fields-of-view (FOVs); a detector comprising at least one focusing component and at least one detector array, wherein the detector is configured to observe a detector FOV that overlaps at least a first illuminator FOV of the plurality of N illuminator FOVs; and at least one processor configured to cause a first illuminator of the plurality of N illuminators to emit an optical pulse to illuminate the first illuminator FOV, obtain a signal representing at least one reflected optical pulse detected by the detector, and determine a position of at least one target using the signal. In some embodiments, a LiDAR system comprises a plurality of illuminators, including a first illuminator configured to illuminate a first illuminator field-of-view (FOV), and a second illuminator configured to illuminate a second illuminator FOV; a plurality of detectors, including a first detector comprising a first focusing component and a first detector array, wherein the first detector is configured to observe at least a portion of the first illuminator FOV, and a second detector comprising a second focusing component and a second detector array, wherein the second detector is configured to observe at least a portion of the second illuminator FOV; and at least one processor configured to cause the first illuminator to emit a first optical pulse to illuminate the first illuminator FOV, cause the second illuminator to emit a second optical pulse to illuminate the second illuminator FOV, obtain at least one signal representing at least one reflected optical pulse detected by the first detector or the second detector, and determine a position of at least one target using the at least one signal.