MEMS Rotary Blade Iris for LiDAR Receiver Aperture Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LiDAR receivers face saturation issues due to higher power laser beams reflected from shorter distances, leading to accuracy impairments and overheating, as they use a fixed receiving aperture for varying detection distances.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable iris using MEMS rotary blades is implemented in the LiDAR receiver, allowing the receiving aperture to dynamically adjust based on detection distances by rotating blades driven by MEMS actuators, thereby controlling the amount of light that enters the detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed receiving aperture is used in conventional LiDAR receivers, then the device structure is simple, but receiver saturation occurs when receiving high-power laser beams from shorter distances, leading to accuracy impairment and overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing an adjustable iris with rotary blades that can dynamically change the receiving aperture size based on detection distance. The aperture transitions from fixed to variable, allowing the system to adapt to different power levels of reflected laser beams from targets at varying distances, thereby preventing receiver saturation while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the aperture size parameter in response to changes in detection distance and reflected beam power. The iris mechanism adjusts the aperture diameter parameter dynamically, reducing it when receiving high-power beams from close targets and increasing it for low-power beams from distant targets, thus optimizing receiver performance across different operating conditions.
2Length of stationary object
If the receiving aperture is enlarged to capture more light from distant targets, then detection range is improved, but receiver saturation occurs when receiving high-power beams from closer targets
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable iris provides dynamic control over the receiving aperture size, enabling the system to switch between large aperture mode for distant targets and small aperture mode for close targets. This dynamic adjustment prevents receiver saturation from high-power close targets while maintaining sufficient light collection capability for distant targets, thereby improving both detection range and receiver stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the aperture size parameter based on the distance to the target. For distant targets, the aperture is enlarged to capture more reflected light and extend detection range. For close targets, the aperture is reduced to limit the amount of high-power light entering the receiver, preventing saturation and maintaining reliable operation across the full detection range.
3Quantity of substance
If a larger receiving aperture is used to detect distant targets, then light collection capability is improved, but thermal overload and overheating occur when receiving high-intensity beams from shorter distances
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable iris dynamically adjusts the aperture size to control the quantity of light reaching the detector. When detecting distant targets requiring high light collection, the aperture is opened wide. When close high-intensity targets are detected, the aperture closes to limit light entry, preventing thermal overload and overheating of the receiver components.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture area parameter is adjusted based on the intensity of the incoming laser beam. For weak signals from distant targets, the aperture area is increased to maximize light collection. For intense beams from close targets, the aperture area is reduced to limit the energy flux into the receiver, thereby controlling temperature rise and preventing thermal damage.
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 prevents receiver saturation, enhances detection accuracy, and improves thermal efficiency by adapting to varying laser power levels across different detection distances, particularly at larger vertical detection angles where laser beams have higher intensity.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable iris including a plurality of rotary blades each driven by a MEMS actuator. The plurality of rotary blades collectively form an adjustable receiving aperture for the returned light beams to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a method for adjusting a receiving aperture in the optical sensing system, and an adjustable iris in the optical sensing system. The exemplary optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit light beams to an environment. The optical sensing system further includes a receiver configured to receive the light beams returning from the environment. The receiver includes an adjustable iris including a plurality of rotary blades each driven by a MEMS actuator. The plurality of rotary blades collectively form an adjustable receiving aperture for the returned light beams to pass through. The plurality of rotary blades are configured to rotate in order to vary the adjustable receiving aperture during operation of the optical sensing system. The optical sensing system also includes a detector configured to detect the light beams that pass through the adjustable iris.