Planar-Beam LiDAR Architecture for Low-Complexity High-Speed Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles require numerous fixed beams to achieve safe operation at high speeds, leading to increased costs, power consumption, and complexity, which are unsustainable for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A planar-beam light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system that uses a single laser scanner emitting a two-dimensional beam plane and a detector array to reduce the number of beams needed, utilizing a fiber laser and adjustable photodetectors to maintain data quality while minimizing power and processing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of laser beams is increased to achieve safe operation at high speeds, then the detection precision and safety are improved, but the cost, power consumption, and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser beams into a single planar beam that covers the same angular space. Instead of using multiple separate lasers and photodetectors, a single laser source with scanning optics creates a plane of light that illuminates the entire field of view, merging the function of multiple beams into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear beam arrays to two-dimensional planar beams. By expanding the beam structure from a line to a plane, the system achieves comprehensive spatial coverage without requiring proportional increases in the number of individual beam components, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining detection precision.
2Measurement precision
If the number of laser beams is increased to achieve safe operation at high speeds, then the detection precision and safety are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser beams into a single planar beam that covers the same angular space. Instead of using multiple separate lasers and photodetectors, a single laser source with scanning optics creates a plane of light that illuminates the entire field of view, merging the function of multiple beams into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single planar beam serves multiple detection functions simultaneously. By creating a two-dimensional plane of light that covers the entire field of view, the system can detect multiple targets at different positions and angles with a single beam, making the beam multi-functional and reducing the need for multiple separate beams.
3Measurement precision
If the number of photodetectors is increased to detect multiple beams, then the detection precision is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser beams into a single planar beam that covers the same angular space. Instead of using multiple separate lasers and photodetectors, a single laser source with scanning optics creates a plane of light that illuminates the entire field of view, merging the function of multiple beams into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear beam arrays to two-dimensional planar beams. By expanding the beam structure from a line to a plane, the system achieves comprehensive spatial coverage without requiring proportional increases in the number of individual beam components, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining detection precision.
4Measurement precision
If the number of photodetectors is increased to detect multiple beams, then the detection precision is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser beams into a single planar beam that covers the same angular space. Instead of using multiple separate lasers and photodetectors, a single laser source with scanning optics creates a plane of light that illuminates the entire field of view, merging the function of multiple beams into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single planar beam serves multiple detection functions simultaneously. By creating a two-dimensional plane of light that covers the entire field of view, the system can detect multiple targets at different positions and angles with a single beam, making the beam multi-functional and reducing the need for multiple separate beams.
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 PLADAR system achieves high data quality with significantly reduced pulse rates and beam counts, lowering costs and complexity, enabling safer and more efficient autonomous vehicle operation without the need for extensive beam configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A planar-beam light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system includes a laser scanner that emits a planar-beam
Implementation Method 2
a detector array to detect reflected light (e.g., backscatter) from the planar beam
Data Source
AI summary
A planar-beam, light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system can include a laser to output a laser beam and a collimator configured to collimate the laser beam axially to emit a planar beam from the laser. The PLADAR system can further include a detector to detect reflected light based on the planar beam being reflected from external surfaces of target objects.