Overlapping Lidar Scan Patterns for Enhanced Sensing Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems face challenges in efficiently generating overlapping scan patterns to enhance data coverage and redundancy, particularly in vehicle-based applications where robust and comprehensive environmental sensing is required.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two lidar sensors configured to jointly generate overlapping scan patterns, allowing for enhanced data coverage and redundancy by overlapping their scan regions, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of environmental sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single lidar sensor is used, then the device complexity is low, but the data coverage and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing task into multiple independent lidar sensors, each covering a specific field of view. The first lidar sensor covers a first field of view and generates a first scan pattern, while the second lidar sensor covers a second field of view and generates a second scan pattern. This segmentation allows each sensor to operate independently, maintaining individual simplicity while achieving system-level redundancy and improved reliability through overlapping coverage in a combined field of view.
2Loss of information
If multiple lidar sensors are used to generate overlapping scan patterns, then the data coverage and redundancy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the fields of view of multiple lidar sensors into a combined field of view, where overlapping regions provide redundant data coverage. The first scan pattern from the first lidar sensor and the second scan pattern from the second lidar sensor are coordinated to overlap in the combined field of view, ensuring comprehensive environmental sensing without significant gaps. This merging approach maximizes information coverage while the independent operation of each sensor keeps individual component complexity low.
3Ease of operation
If the scan patterns are synchronized, then the data processing is simplified, but the adaptability to different scanning requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the scan patterns of multiple lidar sensors based on operational requirements. Each lidar sensor can operate with its own scan frequency and pattern characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to different scanning needs such as varying field of view requirements, target detection priorities, and environmental conditions. The coordination between sensors is flexible rather than rigidly synchronized, enabling each sensor to optimize its scan pattern independently while maintaining coherent operation in the combined field of view.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a system includes a first lidar sensor, which includes a first scanner configured to scan first pulses of light along a first scan pattern and a first receiver configured to detect scattered light from the first pulses of light. The system also includes a second lidar sensor, which includes a second scanner configured to scan second pulses of light along a second scan pattern and a second receiver configured to detect scattered light from the second pulses of light. The first scan pattern and the second scan pattern are at least partially overlapped. The system further includes an enclosure, where the first lidar sensor and the second lidar sensor are contained within the enclosure. The enclosure includes a window configured to transmit the first pulses of light and the second pulses of light.