Adjustable Mirror Control Signals for Ringing-Free Laser Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laser scanning systems experience transient response or ringing due to control signals provided to moveable components like adjustable mirrors, affecting their accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step control signal is used for adjustable mirrors, with step widths based on half the period of oscillation, and optionally incorporating a feedback loop and filtering, to reduce ringing and enable faster linear scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional control signal is provided to the adjustable mirror, then the mirror can be controlled to move, but transient response or ringing occurs which adversely affects accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal applies a preliminary counteracting force before the mirror reaches its target position. By predicting the mirror's oscillatory behavior and applying an opposing control action in advance, the system prevents ringing from occurring, thereby maintaining accuracy without sacrificing control effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the mirror's position and velocity, and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the control signal. The feedback loop detects early signs of oscillation and automatically applies corrective control actions, eliminating ringing while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the control signal is optimized to reduce ringing, then accuracy improves, but the scanning speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal is dynamically adjusted based on the mirror's real-time state rather than using a fixed waveform. The system continuously adapts the control parameters (amplitude, timing, magnitude) to match the mirror's instantaneous position and velocity, enabling both high-speed operation and accurate ringing suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The control signal parameters are continuously modified during the scanning process. By changing the timing, amplitude, and duration of control pulses based on real-time mirror state, the system optimizes both scanning speed and accuracy, preventing ringing without imposing speed limitations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple control signal is used, then the system is easier to implement, but ringing occurs which reduces accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical damping mechanisms with an electronic control solution. By using software-based control algorithms to generate adaptive control signals, the system achieves ringing suppression without adding physical complexity, maintaining ease of implementation while improving accuracy.
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 multi-step control signal reduces ringing, allowing for smoother and faster scanning, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of laser scanning systems.
Implementation Method 1
The period of oscillation may be determined based on measurements of mechanical resonance of the at least one adjustable mirror.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure relate to apparatus for providing control signals to an adjustable mirror in optical systems such as laser scanning systems. The optical systems could be LiDAR systems or optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems or any other suitable systems. The apparatus comprises means for providing a control signal to at least one adjustable mirror to control movement of the at least one adjustable mirror where the at least one adjustable mirror is provided within a laser scanning system. The control signal comprises a multi-step signal where step widths of the multi-step signal are based on half of a period of oscillation of the at least one adjustable mirror.