Optical Unit for LiDAR Test Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR sensor test systems face challenges in achieving targeted beam guidance while maintaining an optimal cost-benefit ratio, particularly in overlaying all light sources or pixels at a single point corresponding to the aperture stop of the sensor.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit comprising a carrier device with orthogonally inserted optical waveguides and microlenses, where the waveguides are offset or aligned with the microlens optical axis, allowing precise alignment and redirection of synthetically generated optical signals, such as laser pulses or light-emitting diode signals, towards the LiDAR sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all light sources or pixels are superimposed at a single point corresponding to the aperture stop of the LiDAR sensor, then targeted beam guidance is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent optical units, each handling a specific light source or pixel. Each optical unit contains its own waveguide and microlens assembly, allowing independent alignment and adjustment without requiring all elements to converge at a single complex focal point, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining beam guidance precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microlenses as intermediary elements between the light sources/pixels and the LiDAR sensor aperture. These microlenses act as intermediate focal points that simplify the optical path, enabling targeted beam guidance through a series of simpler optical transformations rather than requiring direct superposition at the final aperture point
2Volume of moving object
If the optical unit uses microlenses with offset waveguides, then miniaturization is achieved, but alignment precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment features in the carrier device, such as precision-machined recesses and positioning structures that pre-position the waveguides relative to the microlenses before final assembly. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of final alignment operations and ensures consistent manufacturing precision even in miniaturized configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standardized carrier device designs with replicated alignment features across multiple optical units. By creating precise copies of the carrier device structure with identical waveguide-microlens positioning features, manufacturing precision is maintained through replication of proven designs rather than requiring unique high-precision alignment for each unit
3Measurement precision
If pixel density and angular resolution are increased, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-density pixel array into multiple optical units, each containing a manageable number of waveguide-microlens assemblies. This segmentation allows each unit to achieve the required angular resolution through optimized local optics rather than requiring a single complex system to handle all pixels, thus improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical units with universal carrier device structures that can accommodate varying numbers and arrangements of waveguides and microlenses. This universal design allows the same basic optical unit architecture to be scaled for different pixel densities and angular resolution requirements without fundamentally changing the 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 solution enables miniaturization of the optical front end, increased pixel density, and angular resolution without increasing distance to the LiDAR sensor, facilitating scalable and flexible adaptation of test systems for various applications, including autonomous driving and aerospace.
Implementation Method 1
at least one microlens (18) connected to the front face (14a) of the carrier device (14)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical unit (10; 110) for transmitting a synthetically generated optical signal (S) for a test system (1; 101) of a LiDAR sensor (12; 112), comprising a carrier device (14; 114) for receiving at least one optical waveguide (16; 116), wherein the carrier device (14; 114) has at least one opening (20; 120) formed orthogonally to an end face (14a; 114a) of the carrier device (14; 114), into which the at least one optical waveguide (16; 116) is inserted, and at least one microlens (18; 118) connected to the end face (14a; 114a) of the carrier device (14; 114), wherein the mutually facing end faces (14a; 114a, 18a; 118a) of the carrier device (14; 114) and the at least one microlens (18; 118) are each planar. The invention further relates to a test system (1; 101) and a method for manufacturing an optical unit (10; 110).