Phased Array Lidar Chip Scanning Range Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The scanning range of existing phased array lidar chips is limited, particularly in the second dimension, failing to meet the field of view angle requirements for autonomous driving applications.
Innovation Solution
A phased array lidar chip design incorporating an input coupler, emitting module with multiple emitting units, and receiving module with multiple receiving units, each corresponding to a different scanning range, along with optical switches and beam splitters/combiners to enhance scanning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electro-optic shifters or thermal-optical phase shifters are used to achieve scanning, then the scanning capability is improved, but the scanning range in the second dimension is limited to about 20° due to the limited tuning range of tunable light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the receiving module into multiple receiving units, where each receiving unit corresponds to a different scanning range. This segmentation allows the system to cover a wider overall scanning range by combining the capabilities of multiple specialized units, resolving the contradiction between scanning capability and scanning range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receiving units are used to increase scanning range, then the field of view angle requirement is met, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiving units into a single integrated phased array lidar chip, merging their functions while maintaining their individual scanning range specializations. This approach increases scanning range while managing device complexity through integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array lidar chip is designed with multi-functionality, where a single chip structure accommodates multiple receiving units with different scanning ranges. This universal design allows the system to achieve extended scanning range without proportionally increasing overall device 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
The design increases the scanning range to meet the requirements of autonomous driving by enabling a wider field of view angle, achieving up to 120° in the first dimension and 80°-100° in the second dimension, with reduced complexity and cost through shared laser usage and optical switch control.
Implementation Method 1
a first beam splitter, configured to receive the laser beam provided by the input coupler, dividing the laser beam into a detection light and a reference light
Implementation Method 2
a first beam combiner, configured to receive the reference light and the echo signal, where the reference light and the echo signal are combined in the first beam combiner to generate a beat-frequency signal
Implementation Method 3
the emitting unit includes an emitting beam splitter, a first phase shifter group and a first grating antenna that are sequentially connected
Implementation Method 4
the emitting unit includes an emitting beam splitter, a first phase shifter group and a first grating antenna that are sequentially connected; the laser beam is capable of sequentially passing through the emitting beam splitter, the first phase shifter group and the first grating antenna to emit to the detection space
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is applicable to a field of lidar technology and provides a phased array lidar chip and a lidar. The phased array lidar chip includes an input coupler, an emitting module, and a receiving module. The input coupler is configured to couple a laser beam to the chip, and provide the laser beam to the emitting module; the emitting module includes at least one emitting unit, where the emitting unit is configured to emit the laser beam to a detection space; the receiving module includes multiple receiving units, where the receiving units are configured to receive an echo signal within the detection space, and each receiving unit corresponds to a different scanning range. The phased array lidar chip and the lidar provided by the present disclosure can achieve large field of view angle scanning.