Multichannel ADC for Solid-State LIDAR Beam Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR sensors face challenges in precise beam deflection and interference pattern control, particularly in solid-state systems without mechanical movement, which affects their accuracy and efficiency in distance and speed measurement.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multichannel analog-digital converter device with individual signal encoding and processing channels, combined with diffractive optical elements and movable optical elements, allows for parallel evaluation of pixels, reducing the number of analog-digital converters and evaluation time, and enabling cost-effective, high-resolution distance and speed determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid-state LIDAR systems without mechanical movement are used, then costs are reduced and vibration influences are minimized, but precise beam deflection and interference pattern control become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with solid-state optical phase arrays that use electronic phase control of antenna elements to achieve beam deflection without moving parts, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls beam direction by dynamically adjusting the phase parameters of individual antenna elements in the optical phase array, enabling precise beam deflection through electronic parameter modulation rather than mechanical movement
2Measurement precision
If individual phase setting for each antenna element is implemented, then beam deflection precision is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of control increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical phase array into multiple antenna elements that can be independently controlled, allowing precise beam deflection by adjusting phases of individual segments while maintaining overall system manageability through modular control
3Productivity
If multiple signal processing channels with individual encoding are used, then parallel evaluation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing channels with individual encodings into a unified multichannel analog-digital converter device, enabling parallel evaluation of multiple pixels simultaneously while sharing common hardware resources to manage complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating macromirror is used for beam deflection, then beam coverage is achieved, but mechanical complexity and vibration influences increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotating macromirror mechanical scanning system with a solid-state optical phase array that achieves beam deflection through electronic phase control, eliminating mechanical components while maintaining full beam coverage capability
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 compact, cost-effective LIDAR sensors to achieve large ranges, wide visual fields, and high measuring rates with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced transmission power, while allowing for efficient pixel sampling and encoding.
Implementation Method 1
the phase of individual antenna elements of an antenna array on a photonic chip is adapted in such a way that the superimposition of the portions of all antenna elements has an intensity maximum in the preferred direction
Implementation Method 2
a first diffractive optical element, the first diffractive optical element being configured for guiding, as a function of a variation of a wavelength that is emitted by the transmitting unit, an optical signal, corresponding to this wavelength, to various segments of the plurality of segments of the object
Implementation Method 3
a first movable optical element, the first movable optical element being configured for guiding an optical signal on various segments of the plurality of segments of the object as a function of a proper motion
Implementation Method 4
a detection antenna that is configured for receiving optical signals. In particular, the detection antenna may be configured for receiving optical signals that are reflected from a segment of the plurality of segments of the object
Implementation Method 5
A laser source emits a light pulse that is deflected onto an object via a suitable unit
Implementation Method 6
LIDAR systems measure the distance of an object, for example by direct runtime measurement (also referred to as 'direct time of flight' (dToF)) of the irradiated light pulse
Implementation Method 7
a modulator that is configured for generating an individual signal encoding. In particular, the plurality of signal processing channels may include 2 to 1000, in particular 4 to 100, signal processing channels
Implementation Method 8
Such a modulation may include an amplitude modulation and/or a phase modulation, for example
Implementation Method 9
an analog-digital converter unit, which may be configured for sampling electronic signals and converting them into digital signals, i.e., digitizing the electronic signals
Implementation Method 10
These signal processing steps may include, for example, a transformation method such as a Fourier transform method (a fast Fourier transform method, for example)
Implementation Method 11
The particular signals from the various signal processing channels are thus distinguishable from one another. Due to the initial individualized encoding of the particular signals, the signals, with individual signal encoding, may be guided across a superimposition unit, for example an adder, and superimposed there
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic sensor, including a transmitting unit for transmitting a plurality of optical signals in each case to a plurality of segments of an object, and a receiving unit that includes a first multichannel analog-digital converter device, including: an analog-digital converter unit; a plurality of signal processing channels, the signal processing channels of the plurality of signal processing channels in each case including: a detection antenna for receiving optical signals; and a modulator for generating an individual signal encoding. Signals of the plurality of signal processing channels, with individual signal encoding, are transmittable together to the analog-digital converter unit, are converted, and may be associated once again with the corresponding signal processing channels due to the individual signal encoding via algorithms.