Multi-Wavelength LIDAR System for Large Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems face challenges in generating data for larger fields of view, increased numbers of sample regions, and faster refresh rates, particularly as distance and complexity increase, making it difficult to meet specifications for applications like self-driving vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system that generates outgoing light signals with multiple channels of different wavelengths, allowing for concurrent data generation across various sample regions, using optical components and electronics to modulate, amplify, and demultiplex signals, enabling efficient data collection and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If LIDAR system generates data for larger fields of view and increased numbers of sample regions, then coverage area is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of generating data increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple sample regions and uses multiple light sources, each responsible for illuminating specific regions. This segmentation allows the system to handle large fields of view by distributing the complexity across multiple independent channels rather than requiring a single complex system to handle the entire field at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wavelength as an additional dimension for multiplexing multiple LIDAR channels. By encoding spatial information across different wavelengths, the system can represent multiple sample regions simultaneously in a compact manner, effectively adding a dimensional approach to manage the complexity of large field of view coverage.
2Productivity
If LIDAR system increases refresh rate, then data update speed is improved, but difficulty of generating data and system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous wave (CW) light sources that operate continuously rather than in pulses, enabling uninterrupted data collection across all sample regions. This continuous operation allows the system to maintain high refresh rates without the complexity of coordinating multiple pulsed operations, as the useful action of data generation continues without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple LIDAR channels operating at different wavelengths into a single integrated system that processes all channels simultaneously. By merging the operations of multiple channels rather than handling them sequentially, the system achieves high refresh rates while reducing the overall system requirements compared to separate independent systems.
3Length of stationary object
If LIDAR system targets further distances, then detection range is improved, but difficulty of generating data and signal strength decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task across multiple wavelengths, with each wavelength dedicated to specific distance ranges or sample regions. This segmentation allows optimized signal generation for each range, reducing the overall difficulty of generating data for further distances by distributing the signal generation requirements across multiple specialized channels rather than requiring a single system to handle all distances.
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 accelerates LIDAR data generation, allowing the system to meet specifications for larger fields of view, increased sample regions, and higher refresh rates, improving performance in applications such as self-driving vehicles by efficiently handling increased complexity and distance.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength
Implementation Method 2
optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal
Implementation Method 3
a demultiplexing component that receives light from the outgoing light signal and is configured to separate the received light into the LIDAR output signals such that each LIDAR output signal exits from the demultiplexing component traveling in a different direction through free space
Implementation Method 4
electronics configured to tune the light source such that the frequency of each of the channel LIDAR output signals changes concurrently
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength. The system includes optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal. The LIDAR input signals each includes light that was reflected by an object located apart from the system and that was included also in one of the channels. The reference signals do not include light that was reflected by the object but include light from one of the channels. Each of the composite signals is generated such that the reference signal and the LIDAR input included in the composite signal includes light from the same channel.