Planar Optical Waveguide Chip for LiDAR Transceiving Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems with coaxial transceiving systems using integrated optical technologies face challenges such as low production efficiency, high costs, and limited resolution due to the need for free-space optical circulators, which restricts their ranging capability and resolution.
Innovation Solution
A transceiving module with multiple transceiving assemblies arranged on a substrate, each comprising an emission waveguide and a receiving waveguide, integrated on a planar optical waveguide chip without a spatial optical circulator, utilizing a reflection structure to deflect and align optical paths, allowing for improved integration and resolution without the need for stacking, thereby enhancing the LiDAR's detection channels and resolution in multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a free-space optical circulator is used in the coaxial transceiving system, then the transceiving function is achieved, but the production efficiency is low and the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emission waveguide and receiving waveguide into a single planar optical waveguide chip, eliminating the need for separate free-space optical circulators. The waveguides are integrated at the same level on the substrate, combining multiple functions into one compact structure that improves production efficiency and reduces costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical free-space optical circulator with an integrated optical waveguide system. The optical paths are guided through etched waveguide structures on the chip rather than using free-space mechanical components, thereby improving integration and manufacturing efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If a free-space optical circulator is used, then the transceiving system works, but the overall costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The emission and receiving waveguides are merged into a single planar optical chip structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate components including free-space optical circulators. This integration reduces the bill of materials and assembly costs while improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar optical waveguide chip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both emission and reception waveguides, integrates the reflection structure for beam direction control, and eliminates the need for external optical circulators. This multi-functionality reduces overall system cost.
3Measurement precision
If the LiDAR resolution is improved by increasing scanning speed, then the resolution is improved to a limited extent, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases resolution by adding multiple detection channels in the vertical direction through multiple transceiving assemblies arranged along the first direction, rather than relying solely on scanning speed. This dimensional approach to increasing channels provides improved resolution without requiring excessive scanning speed increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into multiple transceiving assemblies, each with its own emission and receiving waveguides. This segmentation allows for multiple detection channels that improve resolution while distributing the complexity across modular units rather than requiring a single complex high-speed scanning system.
4Measurement precision
If multiple transceiving assemblies are arranged on the substrate, then the detection channels and resolution are improved, but the chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the planar surface of the substrate to arrange multiple transceiving assemblies in sequence along the first direction, effectively using two-dimensional space on the chip. This approach increases the number of detection channels and resolution while maintaining a compact form factor compared to three-dimensional stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transceiving assemblies are merged onto a single planar optical waveguide chip, sharing common infrastructure such as the substrate and integration platform. This consolidated approach increases detection channels while optimizing the use of chip area compared to having separate chips for each assembly.
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 configuration improves the LiDAR's resolution and integration by eliminating the requirement for a spatial optical circulator, reducing costs, and optimizing chip design, while also increasing the number of detection channels and ranging capability in both horizontal and vertical directions.
Implementation Method 1
the first reflection region is configured to reflect the detection beam emitted by the emission waveguide and to direct the detection beam outwards, and the second reflection region is configured to receive and reflect the echo beam
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application is applicable to the technical field of autonomous driving, and provides a transceiving module and LiDAR. A transceiving module includes a substrate and multiple transceiving assemblies, where the multiple transceiving assemblies are arranged on the substrate in sequence along a first direction, each transceiving assembly includes an emission waveguide and a receiving waveguide, the emission waveguide is configured to transmit and emit a detection beam, and the receiving waveguide is configured to receive and transmit an echo beam. Based on the transceiving module and the LiDAR provided in the present application, integration of receiving and emission is implemented without using a spatial optical circulator, thereby improving integration and resolution in a direction Y.