Optical Distance Measurement Using Transmission Matrix Subsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical distance measurement technologies, particularly for driverless navigation, face challenges due to the need for mechanical scanning parts, which increase size and cost, and are susceptible to interference in Flash LIDAR sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method using a transmission matrix with subsets of transmission elements that emit measurement pulses in a controlled manner, allowing for distance measurement without mechanical parts and enhanced robustness against interference by sequentially activating subsets to scan the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical scanning is used in LIDAR sensors, then the field of view can be scanned, but the size and cost of the sensor increase due to large moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning components with an electro-optical modulation system. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is used to dynamically control the phase or amplitude of light across different spatial positions, enabling electronic beam steering and field of view scanning without any moving mechanical parts. This substitution eliminates large rotating mirrors and mechanical scanning heads, significantly reducing sensor size and cost while maintaining full scanning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the light field through temporal modulation of the spatial light modulator. By dynamically changing the modulation pattern over time, the system can steer the measurement beam across different angles and positions in the field of view. This dynamic electronic control replaces static mechanical structures with flexible, reconfigurable optical paths, enabling scanning without physical movement of large components.
2Productivity
If Flash LIDAR sensors illuminate the entire field of view simultaneously, then distance measurement can be performed, but the sensor becomes extremely susceptible to external interference pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple spatial regions using the spatial light modulator. Instead of illuminating the entire field of view simultaneously, the SLM selectively modulates light for specific angular sectors or spatial positions. This segmentation allows the system to measure distance in different regions sequentially or selectively, reducing the receiver's exposure to interference pulses from other directions while maintaining comprehensive scene coverage through multiple measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic temporal modulation of the measurement pulses through the spatial light modulator. By periodically switching the modulation pattern and synchronizing pulse transmission with specific temporal windows, the system can distinguish between genuine reflected pulses and external interference. The periodic modulation creates a time-coded signal structure that enables correlation-based detection, filtering out interference pulses that do not match the expected temporal pattern.
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 reduces the size and cost of LIDAR sensors, enhances robustness against interference, and enables dynamic focusing on specific areas, improving the reliability of distance measurements for driverless navigation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of measurement pulses is transmitted by at least one transmission matrix with a plurality of transmission elements
Implementation Method 2
At least one transmitted measurement pulse is reflected by a measurement object in the form of a reflected measurement pulse
Implementation Method 3
The reflected measurement pulse is received by at least one reception matrix with a plurality of reception elements
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An improved method for optical distance measurement is proposed, according to which, using a transmitting matrix for sending measurement pulses and a receiving matrix for receiving them, only subsets of the transmitting elements of the transmitting matrix are activated.