Multi-Static Coherent LiDAR Aperture Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving high isolation between transmit and receive paths in monostatic configurations, leading to saturation from leaked transmitted light and reduced signal-to-noise ratio, while bistatic configurations compromise on aperture size and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-static coherent LiDAR system with multiple apertures, including a send aperture and multiple receive apertures, uses optical phased arrays and wavelength division multiplexing to optimize transmission and reception, reducing background leakage and improving speckle diversity and aperture utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a monostatic aperture configuration is used, then aperture size can be maintained, but isolation between transmit and receive paths deteriorates causing saturation from leaked transmitted light
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the aperture into multiple separate apertures (first aperture for transmission, second aperture for reception) rather than using a single monostatic aperture. This segmentation physically separates the transmit and receive paths, achieving high isolation while maintaining adequate aperture size for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional optical components including optical switches and beam combiners as intermediaries to manage the light paths. These intermediaries enable the system to achieve high isolation between transmit and receive paths while maintaining aperture efficiency through dynamic routing of optical signals.
2Reliability
If a bistatic aperture configuration is used, then isolation between transmit and receive paths is improved, but aperture size and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the aperture system where each aperture can serve multiple functions through dynamic switching. The same aperture structure used for transmission can also be configured for reception when needed, making the system multi-functional and efficient while maintaining isolation benefits of separated apertures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic optical switching to reconfigure the aperture usage in real-time. Optical switches dynamically connect different apertures to transmit or receive functions based on operational requirements, allowing the system to adapt and optimize performance for different detection scenarios while maintaining physical isolation between paths.
3Productivity
If multiple apertures are used, then photon collection efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple aperture signals through optical beam combining techniques, merging the light collected by separate apertures into a unified detection path. This merging process increases photon collection efficiency by aggregating signals from multiple apertures while managing system complexity through integrated optical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical phased arrays that can be configured to replicate and steer beam patterns. By copying and manipulating the phase information from multiple apertures through the phased array, the system achieves efficient photon collection and signal processing without requiring complex electronic processing for each aperture individually.
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 system enhances photon collection efficiency, improves tolerance to speckle effects, and maintains high isolation between transmit and receive paths, optimizing performance for both long-range and short-range target detection.
Implementation Method 1
an optical phased array within the receive aperture, the optical phased array being configured to receive at least a portion of a collected optical wave arriving at the receive aperture along a respective collection angle
Implementation Method 2
a filter configured to filter the received portion of the collected optical wave according to the characteristic of the first portion of the optical wave
Implementation Method 3
a detector configured to provide a signal based on the received portion of the collected optical wave
Data Source
AI summary
At least one beam of an optical wave is transmitted along a transmission angle toward a target location from a send aperture of a transmitter. The optical wave comprises at least a first portion, and a second portion having a different characteristic from a characteristic of the first portion. Two or more receivers include at least one receiver comprising: a receive aperture arranged in proximity to at least one of the send aperture or a receive aperture of a different receiver, an optical phased array within the receive aperture, the optical phased array being configured to receive at least a portion of a collected optical wave arriving at the receive aperture along a respective collection angle, and a filter configured to filter the received portion of the collected optical wave according to the characteristic of the first portion of the optical wave.