Optical Delay System for LiDAR Target Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR target simulators struggle to efficiently generate adjustable delays for complex signal forms and frequency-modulated continuous wave signals, limiting their ability to accurately simulate various target scenarios and requiring precise adjustments to match the optical center frequency of the LiDAR system.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses optical modulators and frequency selective reflectors, such as Fiber Bragg Gratings, to introduce adjustable delays in the optical signal domain, allowing for coherent response signals and precise manipulation of the LiDAR signal to simulate different target scenarios without sampling the input signal, enabling fast switching between delays and preserving the signal shape and phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sensor is used to sample the LiDAR signal and a laser-based signal generator is used to synthesize the delayed signal, then the delayed signal can be generated for incoherent LiDAR concepts, but the system cannot handle complex signal forms like FMCW signals and requires precise adjustment of the optical center frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic sampling and synthesis process with a purely optical delay system. Instead of converting optical signals to electrical signals for processing, the invention uses optical components (optical delay line, optical switch) to directly manipulate the optical signal, thereby avoiding the complexity of electronic signal processing while maintaining versatility across different LiDAR concepts
Solution Approach 2:
The optical delay system is designed to work universally with both incoherent and coherent LiDAR systems, as well as with complex signal forms like FMCW signals. The system uses a single optical delay line that can be switched into different configurations to handle various signal types without requiring separate processing paths for each concept
2Ease of manufacture
If the optical center frequency of the target simulator is not coupled with the LiDAR system, then the system can be simpler to implement, but precise adjustment efforts are required to guarantee sufficient overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an optical switch that automatically couples the optical delay line into the LiDAR system's optical path without requiring manual frequency adjustment. The optical switch is controlled by a control unit that responds to signals from the LiDAR system, enabling automatic frequency alignment and eliminating the need for precise manual tuning while maintaining implementation simplicity
3Productivity
If digital conversion is used to process the LiDAR signal, then the signal can be manipulated and delayed, but the system becomes more complex and less efficient for real-time processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs signal manipulation and delay directly in the optical domain using optical components rather than converting to the electrical domain for digital processing. The optical delay line and optical switch enable real-time signal manipulation without the computational overhead of digital conversion, significantly improving processing efficiency while reducing system complexity
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 approach allows for efficient and cost-effective simulation of various target scenarios in real-time, supporting both incoherent and coherent LiDAR systems, with fast target switching and precise delay control, suitable for testing LiDAR systems across different scenarios without the need for digital conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical modulator associated with the input interface. The first optical modulator is configured to shift the frequency of the optical input signal received
Implementation Method 2
at least two frequency selective reflectors that are configured to reflect the modulated optical signal, thereby providing a reflected signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for creating an adjustable delay in an optical signal. The system has an input interface for receiving an optical input signal. The system has a first optical modulator configured to shift the frequency of the optical input signal depending on a setting of the first optical modulator, thereby generating a modulated optical signal. The system includes at least two frequency selective reflectors configured to reflect the modulated optical signal, thereby providing a reflected signal. The system has a control circuit that adapts the setting of the first optical modulator such that a frequency shift of the optical input signal introduced by the first optical modulator is set by the control circuit. The frequency shift introduced by the first optical modulator corresponds to an operational frequency of one of the at least two frequency selective reflectors associated with the setting of the first optical modulator. The system has an output fiber that receives the reflected signal from the corresponding frequency selective reflector.