Optical Attenuator Control for Equalized Local Oscillator Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lidar systems face challenges in maintaining balanced power levels among multiple local oscillator beams due to variations in optics coatings, which impact digital signal processing, especially in long-range systems where amplified beams cause significant power differences.

Innovation Solution

Implementing optical attenuators, such as liquid crystal plates and polarizers, to adjust beam polarization and induce transmission loss, allowing for closed-loop control to equalize power levels among local oscillator beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If laser beams are amplified to maximal available power level for long-range scanning, then scanning range is improved, but power differences among local oscillator beams become more significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning rangeVSAvoidpower level balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing individual optical attenuators into each beam path to independently adjust the power level of each local oscillator beam. This allows each beam to be customized with the specific attenuation needed to compensate for differences in optics coatings and amplification, achieving uniform power levels across all beams while maintaining the overall high power levels required for long-range scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power level parameter of each local oscillator beam individually using optical attenuators. By adjusting the attenuation parameter for each beam based on its specific characteristics (such as optics coating variations), the system achieves balanced power levels across all beams while maintaining the high absolute power levels needed for long-range operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If different optics coatings are used for each laser beam, then system design flexibility is improved, but power level consistency among beams deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptics design flexibilityVSAvoidpower level consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical attenuators as intermediary components between the optics and the local oscillator beams. These attenuators serve as mediators that compensate for the power level variations introduced by different optics coatings, allowing the system to maintain both design flexibility (different coatings for different beam requirements) and power level consistency through the mediating attenuation effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple beams are implemented to scan multiple lines simultaneously, then scanning efficiency is improved, but power level variations among beams increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidpower level uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beam control into independent segments, with each local oscillator beam having its own optical attenuator. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each beam's power level, enabling the system to maintain multiple simultaneous beams for efficient multi-line scanning while ensuring uniform power levels across all beams through individualized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 ensures balanced power levels among local oscillator beams, improving digital signal processing accuracy and preventing incorrect target detection in Lidar systems, particularly in long-range applications.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one optical attenuator is to receive a controlled voltage to adjust a polarization of at least one of the first beam or the second beam to a first polarization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization adjustment: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

The at least one optical attenuator includes a layer adapted to impede beams having a second polarization different from the first polarization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization-dependent absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260093036A1Techniques for equalizing powers of multiple local oscillator beams using optical attenuators

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 AEVA INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide an amplifier chip comprising: an optical source configured to generate a plurality of beams, a plurality of output waveguides configured to convey the plurality of beams, a plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), each of the plurality of SOAs configured to receive a respective beam from the plurality of waveguides and amplify the respective beam, and a plurality of output couplers configured to output the plurality of amplified beams from the amplifier chip. The apparatus further comprises a silicon photonic integrated circuit (SPIC), comprising: a plurality of input couplers, where each of the plurality of input couplers is aligned with a respective output coupler on the amplifier chip so as to receive the plurality of amplified beams, and optical processing circuitry disposed on the SPIC and configured to receive and process one or more of the amplified beams from the plurality of input couplers.