Optical Manifold With Modular Scanning Heads for Reliable LiDAR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems lack the reliability, flexibility, and maintainability needed for commercial adoption, particularly in complex applications like ADAS and AR, due to sensitivity to ambient light and interference from other LIDAR systems.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system with an optical manifold and multiple scanning heads, where each core generates outgoing signals with different channels, allowing for directional scanning and easy replacement of core cards with varying optical properties, enhancing reliability and flexibility by positioning sensitive components remotely and allowing for interchangeable core cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LIDAR systems are adapted to complex applications like ADAS and AR, then functionality and application scope are improved, but sensitivity to ambient light and interference from other LIDAR systems worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system is divided into multiple independent cores, each operating at different wavelengths. This segmentation allows each core to handle specific application requirements while reducing interference from ambient light and other LIDAR systems, as each wavelength band is less susceptible to common interference sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes multiple wavelengths (different optical parameters) for different cores. By changing the wavelength parameter, the system can operate in spectral regions less affected by ambient light interference, thereby improving performance in complex applications while reducing sensitivity to harmful environmental factors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cores with different optical properties are integrated into a single system, then flexibility and functionality are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each core is designed as an independent functional unit with its own optical properties, allowing them to be developed, tested, and maintained separately. This modular segmentation reduces the overall system complexity by breaking down the multi-core system into manageable independent components while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple cores are designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting mechanisms, allowing different core types to be integrated into the same system framework. This universality enables flexibility in configuring different core combinations without requiring entirely different system architectures, thereby managing complexity.
3Reliability
If sensitive components are positioned remotely from the optical manifold, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensitive components are extracted from the optical manifold and positioned remotely. This extraction protects them from atmospheric influences and interference, improving reliability. The separated components are connected through optical fibers or other transmission media, maintaining functionality while reducing complexity within the manifold itself.
4Ease of repair
If core cards are made interchangeable with different optical properties, then ease of maintenance and flexibility are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The core cards are designed as standardized modular units with precise mounting features. This segmentation allows for easy replacement and interchangeability while the standardized interfaces ensure consistent optical alignment, reducing the impact on manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical alignment features and reference marks are pre-established during core card manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when core cards are interchanged, the alignment process is simplified and requires less precision during field replacement, thereby improving ease of maintenance without excessively increasing manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The optical manifold has multiple cores that each generates an outgoing LIDAR signal that carries one or more channels. Scanning heads are located apart from the manifold. Each scanning head is associated with one of the cores and is configured such that each scanning head receives an outgoing LIDAR signal from the associated core. The scanning heads are each configured to transmit one or more LIDAR output signals that each carries light from a different one of the channels and such that the different LIDAR output signals each travels away from the scanning head in a different direction. Each of the cores is associated with different core electronics. The core electronics are configured to tune a property of one of the outgoing LIDAR signals such that the tuning of the property causes a change to the direction that the one or more LIDAR output signals travel away from the scanning head associated with the core electronics.