Photonic LIDAR Chip Eliminates Circulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems face increased complexity and cost due to the use of circulators, which are necessary for separating outgoing and returning light signals, hindering the ability to achieve desired data generation rates and resolutions without these components.
Innovation Solution
A photonic circuit chip with multiple cores, each featuring an optical switch and alternate waveguides, where the optical switch directs outgoing light signals to active waveguides and signal splitters extract reference and comparative signals to generate a beating signal, allowing for LIDAR data calculation without the need for circulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a circulator is used to separate outgoing and returning light signals, then the LIDAR system can achieve desired data generation rates and resolutions, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the circulator component from the LIDAR system by using separate dedicated waveguides for outgoing and returning light signals. This removal of the circulator reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to achieve desired data generation rates and resolutions through the alternative waveguide structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the light path into separate dedicated waveguides for outgoing and returning signals, replacing the single waveguide with circulator-based separation. This segmentation allows simultaneous transmission of outgoing and returning light without requiring a circulator, thereby reducing component count and system complexity while preserving measurement precision
2Reliability
If a circulator is used to separate light signals, then the LIDAR system can function properly, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the circulator component entirely from the system architecture and replaces it with integrated waveguide structures that perform the signal separation function. This extraction eliminates the assembly complexity associated with integrating circulators while maintaining proper system functionality through the alternative waveguide-based approach
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 reduces the complexity and cost of LIDAR systems by eliminating the need for circulators while maintaining or improving data generation rates and resolutions, enabling more efficient data processing and system performance.
Implementation Method 1
The optical switch in each core is configured to direct an outgoing light signal to any one of the alternate waveguides
Implementation Method 2
The signal splitter extracts a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal that serves as a reference signal and at least a portion of the incoming LIDAR signal that serves as a comparative signal
Implementation Method 3
Each core includes a signal combiner that combines light from the reference signal with light from the comparative signal so as to generate a composite signal beating at a beat frequency
Implementation Method 4
The data for a sample region indicates the radial velocity and/or distance between the imaging system and one or more objects located in the sample region
Implementation Method 5
The data for a sample region indicates the radial velocity and/or distance between the imaging system and one or more objects located in the sample region
Data Source
AI summary
The imaging system includes a photonic circuit chip having multiple cores. Each of the cores includes an optical switch and multiple alternate waveguides. The optical switch in each core is configured to direct an outgoing light signal to any one of the alternate waveguides, the alternate waveguide to which the outgoing light signal is directed being an active waveguide. Each core outputs the outgoing LIDAR signal from the active waveguide while receiving an incoming LIDAR signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal, has exited from the imaging system, and has returned to the imaging system. Each core includes a signal splitter that receives the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal. The signal splitter extracts a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal that serves as a reference signal and at least a portion of the incoming LIDAR signal that serves as a comparative signal. Each core includes a signal combiner that combines light from the reference signal with light from the comparative signal so as to generate a composite signal beating at a beat frequency. Electronics calculate LIDAR data for each core from the beat frequency of the composite signal generated by the core.