Modulated Lidar Optics With Circulator for Low-Interference Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems face challenges in accurately determining the range and velocity of objects, especially in bright sunlight and with low reflectivity objects, due to crosstalk and self-interference issues, which affect their reliability and accuracy in autonomous vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a LIDAR sensor system that uses frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) to encode optical signals, allowing for better detection of objects at greater distances and providing accurate velocity measurements through the Doppler effect, while reducing interference and enhancing signal processing efficiency with a circulator design that simplifies optical components and reduces back reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional LIDAR systems are used, then basic range detection is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to crosstalk and self-interference in bright sunlight and with low reflectivity objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) to encode optical signals, changing the temporal or phase parameters of the transmitted light. This modulation allows the receiver to distinguish between transmitted and reflected signals more effectively, reducing crosstalk and self-interference. The circulator design further changes the optical path parameters to eliminate back reflections, thereby improving measurement precision and reliability in challenging environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulator acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the transmitter and the scanning optics/receiver. It directs the transmit beam to the scanning optics and separates the return beam from the transmit beam, preventing direct interference between transmitted and received signals. This intermediary function reduces crosstalk and enables more reliable detection in bright sunlight and with low reflectivity objects.
2Measurement precision
If frequency modulation or phase modulation is implemented, then signal processing efficiency improves and detection accuracy increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmitter, circulator, scanning optics, and receiver into an integrated LIDAR system. The circulator merges the functions of beam direction and signal separation into a single component. This integration reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each function, while still enabling sophisticated FM or PM modulation for improved detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If a circulator design is used, then back reflections are reduced and signal processing is simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator performs multiple functions within a single component: it directs the transmit beam to the scanning optics, receives the return beam from the object, and separates the return beam from the transmit beam. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall optical system while improving signal processing reliability by eliminating back reflections.
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 more accurate and reliable detection of objects at longer ranges, reduces hardware and software requirements, and improves the overall performance of LIDAR systems in various environmental conditions, particularly for autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The implementation of a LIDAR sensor system that uses frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) to encode optical signals
Implementation Method 2
The circulator is configured to receive the transmit beam and direct the transmit beam to the one or more scanning optics, receive a return beam from reflection of the transmit beam by an object, split the return beam into at least a first component and a second component
Implementation Method 3
receive a return beam from reflection of the transmit beam by an object
Implementation Method 4
providing accurate velocity measurements through the Doppler effect
Implementation Method 5
The receiver includes a first receive grating coupler and a second receive grating coupler
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle includes a transmitter, a receiver, one or more scanning optics, and a circulator. The transmitter is configured to output a transmit beam. The receiver includes a first receive grating coupler and a second receive grating coupler. The circulator is configured to receive the transmit beam and provide the transmit beam to the one or more scanning optics, receive a return beam from reflection of the transmit beam by an object, split the return beam into at least a first component and a second component, and direct the first component to the first receive grating coupler and the second component to the second receive grating coupler.