Multispectral Sensor Array for Inherently Aligned LIDAR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical imaging systems face challenges in aligning and registering images from different sensor modalities, such as LIDAR and visible-light cameras, due to differences in resolution and frame boundaries, which complicates the integration of depth and spectral data for applications like autonomous vehicle navigation.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral sensor array with multiple sensor channels, including LIDAR and ambient-light channels, is designed to be inherently aligned, using optical filters and micro-optics to compensate for chromatic aberration and focal plane curvature, allowing for precise registration of pixel data across different modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate LIDAR and visible-light camera systems are used to provide depth and spectral data, then both depth and spectral information can be obtained, but image alignment and registration between the different imaging systems becomes complex and computationally intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (LIDAR depth sensors and visible-light spectral sensors) into a single integrated sensor array. This merging eliminates the need for separate imaging systems and complex image registration between them, as all sensors share a common physical substrate and coordinate system, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining the capability to provide both depth and spectral data
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor array is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - depth measurement via LIDAR and spectral imaging via visible-light sensors - within a single device structure. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to obtain both depth and spectral information without requiring separate specialized systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If separate LIDAR and visible-light camera systems are used, then independent optimization of each system is possible, but the alignment between independently constructed and controlled imaging systems becomes inexact
Solution Approach 1:
By merging LIDAR and visible-light sensors into a single integrated array on a common substrate, the patent ensures that all sensors share identical mechanical mounting and coordinate systems. This eliminates alignment errors that arise from independently constructing and mounting separate systems, thereby improving measurement precision while still allowing independent optimization of each sensor type's performance
3Measurement precision
If different imaging systems with different resolutions are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific resolution requirements, but the registration and matching of features across different resolutions becomes computationally intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated sensor array captures depth and spectral data simultaneously at matching spatial resolutions because all sensors are physically co-located on the same substrate. This eliminates the need for computationally intensive resolution matching and feature registration between separately captured images from different systems, thereby improving computational efficiency while maintaining the ability to optimize each modality's resolution characteristics
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 solution enables precise alignment and registration of images from different sensor types, improving the accuracy and efficiency of data integration for applications requiring both depth and spectral information, such as autonomous vehicle navigation and obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
Different channels can be tuned (e.g., using optical filters) to be sensitive to light having specific properties, such as a particular range of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
Light imaging, detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems measure distance to a target by illuminating the target with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor. Time-of-flight measurements can then be used to make a digital 3D-representation of the target
Implementation Method 3
illuminating the target with a pulsed laser light
Implementation Method 4
Some or all of the channel can have a channel-specific (or channel-type-specific) compensating micro-optic that depends on the location of the channel in the array and/or the particular wavelength range to which the channel is tuned
Data Source
AI summary
A multispectral sensor array can include a combination of ranging sensor channels (e.g., LIDAR sensor channels) and ambient-light sensor channels tuned to detect ambient light having a channel-specific property (e.g., color). The sensor channels can be arranged and spaced to provide multispectral images of a field of view in which the multispectral images from different sensors are inherently aligned with each other to define an array of multispectral image pixels. Various optical elements can be provided to facilitate imaging operations. Light ranging/imaging systems incorporating multispectral sensor arrays can operate in rotating and/or static modes.