Optical Phased Array Segmentation for LiDAR Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Optical Phased Arrays (OPAs) for LiDAR systems are not scalable and become complex in terms of architecture and electrical control as the number of outputs increases, leading to difficulties in controlling phase shifts and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical beam steering device incorporates a silicon-based OPA with a beam splitter network and phase shifters configured to steer the output optical beam over a wider angle, allowing for improved coverage without requiring additional circuitry as the number of channels increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional Optical Phased Arrays (OPAs) are used to increase the number of outputs for broader beam coverage, then the beam steering angle range is improved, but the device complexity and electrical control complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the OPA into multiple sub-OPAs, each with fewer antenna elements and simpler control requirements. Each sub-OPA is independently controlled, allowing the system to achieve broader overall coverage through coordinated operation of multiple simpler units rather than one complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by arranging multiple sub-OPAs in different physical locations or orientations. This dimensional arrangement allows the system to achieve broader beam coverage through spatial distribution rather than increasing the complexity of a single linear array.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional Optical Phased Arrays (OPAs) are used to increase the number of outputs for broader beam coverage, then the beam steering angle range is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the OPA into multiple sub-OPAs with fewer elements each, the power consumption is distributed across multiple lower-power units. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the same broad coverage as a single large OPA but with reduced peak power requirements and improved energy efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional Optical Phased Arrays (OPAs) are used to increase the number of outputs, then the beam coverage is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into multiple independent controllers, each managing a sub-OPA with fewer antenna elements. This segmentation reduces the control complexity for each individual controller while maintaining comprehensive beam coverage through coordinated operation of all sub-OPAs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the control architecture by distributing control across multiple sub-OPAs positioned differently in space. This dimensional distribution allows each controller to manage a simpler local subset while the collective system achieves comprehensive coverage.
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 solution enables the optical beam steering device to achieve a wider beam steering angle range and improved coverage, while maintaining control simplicity and reducing power consumption, even with an increasing number of channels.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitting network configured to split the laser beam into a plurality of channels
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of phase shifters configured to generate a phase difference between the channels
Implementation Method 3
transmitting a plurality of beams through an array antenna that superimpose (i.e., combine) in the far-field to form an output beam
Implementation Method 4
Each of the plurality of beams undergoes a different phase shift so each of the transmitted beams is emitted at different times. This may result in the output optical beam being transmitted at an angle, known as the beam steering angle
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical beam steering device (100) and a method for beam steering are described. The optical beam steering device including: a laser source (102) coupled to an optical phased array, OPA. The OPA includes: a beam splitter network (103) optically coupled to the laser source and configured to split a laser beam generated by the laser source into N outputs to generate an output optical beam; a first network of first phase shifters (110) configured to steer the output optical beam in a first direction away from a longitude direction; and a second network of second phase shifters (112) configured to steer the output optical beam in a second direction away from the longitude direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.