Planar-Beam LiDAR Scanning to Cut Beam Count and Power
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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 deployment.
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
1Reliability
If the number of laser beams is increased to achieve safe operation at high speeds, then the detection coverage and safety are improved, but the cost, power consumption, and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate laser beams into a single planar beam that covers the same angular range. Instead of using multiple independent lasers and photodetectors, the invention uses one laser source and one photodetector array to detect reflections from the entire planar beam simultaneously, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear beams to two-dimensional planar beams. By expanding the beam from a line to a plane, the system achieves broader coverage area without increasing the number of beam sources, effectively solving the contradiction between coverage and complexity
2Reliability
If the number of laser beams is increased to achieve safe operation at high speeds, then the detection coverage and safety are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple high-power laser beams into a single planar beam, thereby reducing the total power consumption. The single laser source consumes less energy than multiple separate lasers would require, while the planar geometry maintains adequate coverage for safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a planar copy of the traditional linear beam structure, extending it into two dimensions. This planar beam serves as an alternative to multiple linear beams, achieving the same safety function with reduced energy consumption by using a single laser source
3Measurement precision
If the number of photodetectors is increased to match the number of laser beams, then the detection precision is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple photodetectors into a single photodetector array that can simultaneously detect reflections from the entire planar beam. This array maintains detection precision by capturing spatial information across the beam plane while reducing the overall number of detector components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The single photodetector array performs multiple detection functions simultaneously, replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate photodetectors. Each element in the array can detect reflections from different portions of the planar beam, providing universal detection capability across the entire beam coverage area
4Measurement precision
If the number of photodetectors is increased to match the number of laser beams, then the detection precision is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple expensive photodetector components into a single photodetector array, thereby reducing the total component cost. The array provides equivalent detection precision to multiple separate photodetectors but at a lower overall cost due to reduced component count and integration
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, decreasing costs and complexity, enabling safer and more efficient autonomous vehicle operation without the need for excessive beams, thus addressing the limitations of traditional LIDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
A planar-beam, light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system includes a laser scanner having a collimation component that collimates a laser beam generated by the laser scanner into the planar beam
Implementation Method 2
A detector array includes a number of individual photodetectors that 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 scanner that emits a planar-beam, and a detector array that detects reflected light from the planar beam.