Oscillating MEMS Mirror LIDAR for Motion Blur Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive LIDAR systems face limitations in usable laser power due to safety regulations and suffer from motion blurring caused by vehicle displacement during measurements, which affects the precision and safety of distance calculations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a LIDAR apparatus with a reflective surface oscillating about a rotation axis and multiple light sources, where the emission times of light beams are controlled to follow specific sequences of beam directions for each measurement, allowing for reduced motion blurring and increased safety by avoiding high optical energy concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high power lasers are used for illuminating the environment, then the detection distance and precision are improved, but laser safety regulations are violated and optical energy concentration becomes harmful

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidoptical energy concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the laser illumination into multiple separate light beams (first light beam, second light beam, etc.) that are directed at different spatial locations. By segmenting the optical energy into multiple non-adjacent beams, the system achieves sufficient total illumination power for long-range detection while ensuring that no single location receives harmful concentrated energy, thus complying with laser safety regulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple light beams are emitted sequentially, then motion blurring is reduced and measurement precision is improved, but the measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic oscillation of a reflective surface (such as a MEMS mirror) to sequentially direct multiple light beams across the field of view. This periodic action enables the system to scan multiple directions in a systematic, time-efficient manner, reducing motion blurring by completing measurements during controlled oscillation cycles while minimizing total measurement time through the regular, predictable timing of beam emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the reflective surface oscillates rapidly to reduce motion blurring, then measurement precision is improved, but the system complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mechanical oscillation of a reflective surface (such as a MEMS mirror or振ating mirror) to rapidly scan light beams across the field of view. This mechanical vibration approach reduces motion blurring by completing measurements during controlled oscillation cycles, and the system benefits from the inherent stability and predictability of mechanical resonance, which simplifies timing synchronization and control compared to more complex electronic scanning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 enhances the precision of distance measurements by reducing motion blurring and allows for the use of higher power light beams, enabling detection of objects at greater distances while ensuring safety by distributing optical energy non-adjacently.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective surface configured to oscillate about a rotation axis, and a plurality of light sources each configured to controllably emit a respective light beam via an optical system onto the reflective surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11567175B2Apparatuses and method for light detection and ranging
Publication Date: 2023.01.31 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • US11567175B2 patent drawing
  • US11567175B2 patent drawing
  • US11567175B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for light detection and ranging is provided. The apparatus includes a reflective surface configured to oscillate about a rotation axis, and a plurality of light sources each configured to controllably emit a respective light beam via an optical system onto the reflective surface. Further, the apparatus includes a controller configured to control emission times of the plurality of light sources so that the reflective surface emits a plurality of light beams to an environment according to a first sequence of beam directions for a first measurement, and according to a second sequence of beam directions for a subsequent second measurement.