Optical Loopback Detection Apparatus for Delay Drift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The delay from generating a circuit drive signal to emitting a laser signal in lidar systems is affected by external temperature changes and system aging, leading to reduced object detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A detection apparatus utilizing an optical loopback method with an optical fiber to measure and correct the delay between the circuit drive signal and the laser signal generation, enhancing stability and accuracy by adjusting the position and angle of the optical fiber to establish a stable optical path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical path is constructed using optical fiber to measure delay, then object detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An optical fiber is introduced as an intermediary component to create an optical loopback path between the emission module and receiving module. This optical fiber serves as a mediator to transmit the laser signal back to the receiving module, enabling delay measurement without requiring direct electrical signal routing, thus improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through a standardized optical component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or replica of the transmission path by routing the laser signal through the optical fiber back to the receiving module. This optical loopback copy allows the system to measure the delay characteristics of the transmission path without requiring separate test equipment, improving measurement accuracy while avoiding additional complex testing infrastructure
2Stability of the object's composition
If the optical fiber position and angle are adjusted to establish a stable optical path, then optical path stability is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is pre-positioned and pre-aligned during the manufacturing or setup phase to establish the optimal optical path between the emission module and receiving module. This preliminary action ensures that the optical path is stable from the beginning, eliminating the need for frequent adjustments during operation while maintaining high optical path stability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber connection is designed to be self-aligning or self-adjusting through mechanical fixtures or mounting structures that automatically maintain the correct position and angle. This self-service mechanism ensures stable optical path without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving optical path stability
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
Improves object detection accuracy by real-time correction of delays due to temperature changes and system aging, maintaining precise distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Thanks to a total reflection feature of the optical fiber, an optical path from the emission module to the receiving module that is constructed by using the optical fiber has better stability
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a detection apparatus, an optical loopback method, and a terminal. The detection apparatus may be a lidar, and may be applied to the detection field, the intelligent surveying and mapping field, the intelligent driving field, and other fields. The detection apparatus includes an emission module, a receiving module, an optical assembly, and an optical fiber. A light beam emitted by an emission module is transmitted to the optical fiber through the optical assembly, and is transmitted to the receiving module through the optical fiber. A stable optical loopback path is constructed based on the optical fiber. This can improve detection accuracy of the detection apparatus.