Waveguide Array LIDAR With Polygon Scanning for Beam Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems face challenges in achieving optimal beam size and angular spacing with collimators, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of scanning and data collection, particularly in autonomous vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
A novel collimator design and scanning apparatus that uses a waveguide array and a polygon scanner to generate and adjust a fan of collimated beams across a wide angular range, allowing for improved scanning patterns and data collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional collimators are used to produce multiple beams, then beam collimation is achieved, but beam size and angular spacing cannot be optimized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single collimator function into multiple segmentable beam generating elements (waveguides) arranged in an array. Each waveguide can be independently controlled to emit beams with specific characteristics, allowing simultaneous optimization of beam size and angular spacing through the collective arrangement rather than relying on a single collimator component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-plane collimation to a three-dimensional waveguide array configuration where waveguides are positioned at different locations and orientations in space. This dimensional expansion enables independent control of beam size (through waveguide dimensions) and angular spacing (through spatial arrangement), resolving the trade-off between these two parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If large beam collimators are used to produce desired beam size, then beam size is improved, but angular spacing becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large collimator, the system segments the beam generation into multiple smaller waveguide elements. Each waveguide produces a beam of optimal size, while the angular spacing is controlled by the spatial separation and orientation of individual waveguides in the array, allowing independent optimization of both parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a polygon scanner that can dynamically adjust the emission angles of the waveguide array. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize angular spacing for different scanning scenarios while maintaining optimal beam size, resolving the static trade-off between beam size and angular spacing.
3Measurement precision
If array collimators are used to produce closely spaced beams, then angular spacing is improved, but beam size becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple segmented waveguide elements where each element maintains optimal beam size characteristics. The close angular spacing is achieved through the compact arrangement of these segmented elements in the waveguide array, rather than relying on a single large collimator that would be required to produce adequately sized beams.
Solution Approach 2:
Each waveguide in the array serves multiple functions: it produces a beam of optimal size while simultaneously contributing to the overall angular spacing pattern when combined with other waveguides. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both adequate beam size and close angular spacing that would be mutually exclusive in conventional single-collimator systems.
4Productivity
If conventional scanning techniques are used, then scanning is achieved, but scanning efficiency and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is segmented into multiple independent waveguide channels that can operate in parallel. Instead of scanning a single beam sequentially across the field of view, multiple beams from different waveguides can simultaneously cover different angular sectors, dramatically improving scanning efficiency and reducing the time required to achieve complete environmental coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The polygon scanner enables continuous angular coverage by maintaining constant rotation while the waveguide array provides continuous beam emission across all angular positions. This continuous operation eliminates the start-stop nature of conventional scanning systems, improving productivity by ensuring that useful scanning action occurs at all times during the scanning cycle.
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 enables more precise and efficient scanning of environments around autonomous vehicles, enhancing range accuracy and speed detection, while optimizing the tradeoff between integration time, sampling rate, and pattern of sampling different angles.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide array arranged in a first plane to generate a plurality of beams, with each beam transmitted from a respective waveguide in the array
Implementation Method 2
a collimator to shape the plurality of beams into a fan of collimated beams having an angular spread in the first plane
Implementation Method 3
a polygon scanner to adjust a direction of the fan in a second plane that is different than the first plane
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle includes a LIDAR system that includes a waveguide array, a collimator configured to receive a plurality of beams from the waveguide array and output a plurality of collimated beams, and a scanner configured to adjust a direction of the plurality of collimated beams. The vehicle also includes one or more processors configured to determine a range to an object based on a return signal received from reflection or scattering of the plurality of collimated beams by the object and to control operation of at least one of a steering system or the braking system based on the range.