Photonic Integrated Circuit Crosstalk Suppression in Coherent LiDAR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-channel coherent LiDAR systems face insufficient countermeasures against crosstalk between channels, leading to potential false detection of non-existent targets due to interference.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device with a photonic integrated circuit that includes independent optical couplers for transmission and reference light, combined with an external optical system using a telescope and scanner to deflect transmission light, effectively suppressing crosstalk by modulating transmission light and emitting continuous reference light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of channels is increased to increase the point rate, then the productivity is improved, but the crosstalk between channels increases leading to false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The optical coupler is segmented into a first coupler for transmission light and a second coupler for reference light. This segmentation separates the optical paths for different functions, preventing crosstalk between channels while maintaining high point rate capability through multi-channel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference light path is extracted and separated from the transmission light path using independent couplers. This extraction eliminates interference between the two optical paths, ensuring accurate distance measurement while allowing simultaneous operation of multiple channels.
2Reliability
If independent optical couplers are provided for transmission and reference light, then the crosstalk is suppressed improving reliability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining functional separation with independent couplers, the patent integrates both the first coupler for transmission light and the second coupler for reference light within a single photonic integrated circuit. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The photonic integrated circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: generating transmission light, generating reference light, and coupling both to external optical systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing 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 solution enhances the point rate by reducing interference between channels, ensuring accurate detection of targets and maintaining high resolution and frame rate in LiDAR applications.
Implementation Method 1
a photonic integrated circuit that has a function compatible with a coherent LiDAR method that measures distance based on interference between reception light, which is reflected light of transmission light irradiated on a target, and reference light
Implementation Method 2
the photonic integrated circuit independently includes a first coupler for the transmission light and a second coupler for the reference light as optical couplers that couple the inside and outside of an optical waveguide
Implementation Method 3
an external optical system including a telescope that deflects the transmission light to different emission angles for each pixel
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a distance measuring device and a distance measuring system that can suppress crosstalk between channels. Provided is a distance measuring device including a photonic integrated circuit that has a function compatible with a coherent LiDAR method that measures distance based on interference between reception light, which is reflected light of transmission light irradiated on a target, and reference light. The photonic integrated circuit independently includes a first coupler for the transmission light and a second coupler for the reference light as optical couplers that couple the inside and outside of an optical waveguide. The present disclosure can be applied to a distance measuring device that measures distance using a coherent LiDAR method.