Optical Antenna Array Beam Steering Without Mechanical LIDAR Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems rely on mechanical moving parts for beam steering, which are bulky, costly, and unreliable for applications like automotive and robotics, and there is a need for improved accuracy in range and velocity measurement.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state LIDAR system with a switchable optical antenna array architecture that eliminates mechanical parts, using a transceiver with optical antenna arrays and a switch to selectively provide input signals to optical antenna arrays, enabling addressable field of view scanning and scalable focal plane arrays for coherent LIDAR systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical moving parts are used for beam steering in LIDAR systems, then beam steering capability is achieved, but device complexity, cost, and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a solid-state optical antenna array system. Instead of using mechanical mirrors or moving components to steer beams, the invention uses multiple optical antennas whose signals are combined and directed through optical waveguides to achieve beam steering capability without any mechanical motion. This substitution eliminates the complexity, cost, and reliability issues associated with mechanical systems while maintaining the essential beam steering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the LIDAR system into multiple discrete optical antenna elements arranged in an array. Each optical antenna is a separate, stationary component that can be individually addressed and controlled. By segmenting the system into multiple simple, identical units rather than one complex mechanical steerer, the patent achieves beam steering through electronic/optical control of individual elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity and improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical moving parts are used for beam steering, then beam direction control is achieved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a solid-state optical antenna array system. Instead of using mechanical mirrors or moving components to steer beams, the invention uses multiple optical antennas whose signals are combined and directed through optical waveguides to achieve beam steering capability without any mechanical motion. This substitution eliminates the complexity, cost, and reliability issues associated with mechanical systems while maintaining the essential beam steering function.
3Measurement precision
If optical antenna arrays with selective signal provision are used, then field of view scanning resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical antenna signals through optical waveguides and optical combiners into a unified output path. Instead of requiring separate processing channels for each antenna element, the invention merges the signals optically, allowing high-resolution field of view scanning through coordinated activation of antenna elements while using a shared optical output path. This merging reduces the complexity of the optical switching network compared to having fully independent channels for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical switching network and waveguide system to serve multiple functions: it routes signals from any individual optical antenna, combines signals from multiple antennas, and directs the combined output through shared waveguides. This multi-functional design allows the same optical infrastructure to support both high-resolution scanning and reduced complexity, as the system can dynamically configure connections based on which antennas are active rather than requiring dedicated paths for each possible configuration.
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 reduces complexity, cost, and reliability while providing improved resolution and object recognition through dynamic addressing of field of view blocks and concurrent operation of optical antennas, reducing artifacts in point clouds.
Implementation Method 1
an optical splitter coupled to the plurality of optical antennas
Implementation Method 2
The optical combiner is configured to receive a local oscillator signal and receive a return LIDAR signal from the at least one of the plurality of optical antennas. The optical combiner is configured to provide a combined output signal.
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of photo diodes configured to convert the combined output signal into electrical signals representative of a LIDAR beat tone
Implementation Method 4
Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR directly measures range and velocity of an object by directing a frequency modulated, collimated light beam at a target
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transceiver includes optical antenna arrays and an optical switch. Some of the optical antenna arrays include a number of optical antennas and an optical splitter coupled to the optical antennas. The optical splitter may include a number of passive optical splitters. The optical splitter provides a portion of an input signal to the optical antennas. The optical switch is configured to selectively provide the input signal to at least one of the plurality of optical antenna arrays. The optical switch enables addressable field of view scanning by selectively providing the input signal to the plurality of antenna arrays, one array at a time.