Optical Switching LiDAR for High-Frame-Rate Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lidar systems face limitations such as limited power and detection range for eye safety, reliance on moving parts, limited frame rates, and performance in adverse environmental conditions like fog, haze, and rain.
Innovation Solution
A scanning lidar system utilizing all-optical switching with magneto-optic switches and fiber arrays to scan a larger field of view without moving parts, enabling multi-dimensional real-time data capture with improved range, frame rate, and robustness in adverse weather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moving parts are used to mechanically scan the field of view, then scanning capability is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning components (motors, mirrors, moving parts) with an all-optical switching system using optical switches and fiber arrays to direct laser pulses across the field of view. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and failure modes while maintaining scanning capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If higher power is used to extend detection range, then detection range is improved, but eye safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the laser to 1550 nm, which is in the eye-safe region. This parameter change allows the system to use higher power levels for extended detection range without compromising eye safety, as the human eye is less sensitive to this wavelength and the cornea absorbs it before it reaches the retina.
3Area of stationary object
If mechanical scanning is used to cover large field of view, then field of view coverage is improved, but frame rate deteriorates due to mechanical speed limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning with all-optical switching using optical switches and fiber arrays. This electronic/optical switching operates at much higher speeds than mechanical systems, enabling the system to cover a large field of view while achieving high frame rates that would be impossible with mechanical scanning components.
4Measurement precision
If laser power is increased to improve detection capability, then detection capability is improved, but eye safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser wavelength parameter to 1550 nm in the eye-safe region, enabling higher power operation that improves detection capability (signal-to-noise ratio, detection range) without compromising eye safety. This parameter change fundamentally resolves the contradiction between detection capability and eye safety.
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 system provides enhanced scanning capabilities with no mechanical parts, achieving improved range, frame rate, reliability, and scalability suitable for autonomous vehicles and drones, even in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second optical switches may include a Faraday rotator
Implementation Method 2
the first and second optical switches comprise a magneto-optic switch
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning LiDAR with no moving parts includes a laser transmitter with a first magneto-optic switch delivering pulses to a first linear fiber array to a field of view (FOV), a receiver with optics directing reflected light to a second, orthogonal linear fiber array coupled to a second magneto-optic switch to deliver the light to a detector, and a controller to process detector signals and generate FOV data. A scanning method for improving resolution includes scanning along a first direction, directing light reflected from an object along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a received beam provided to a detector, processing detector signals to generate a pixel array, and varying an intensity profile within a pixel to move peak intensity in a continuous manner within the pixel by synchronously varying polarization of the transmitted and received light using associated Faraday rotators and phase masks.