Refractive Beam Steering for Uniform LIDAR Scan Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems using opto-mechatronic deflection for beam-steering suffer from uneven beam spacing, leading to non-uniform coverage, and require high power and extensive tuning.
Innovation Solution
A refractive beam-steering system that produces even spacing in the projected beam, ensuring uniform coverage, and eliminates the need for tuning by using a method that mitigates power requirements and employs a triangular waveform for linear steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If opto-mechatronic deflection is used for beam-steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but uneven beam spacing and non-uniform coverage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical opto-mechatronic deflection system with a purely optical beam steering approach using diffractive optical elements. This substitution eliminates the mechanical moving parts that cause uneven beam spacing, achieving uniform beam coverage through optical interference and diffraction patterns without mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters by introducing diffractive optical elements with specific phase profiles that control the beam steering angle and spacing. By changing the phase distribution across the optical aperture, the system achieves uniform beam spacing while maintaining steering capability, resolving the contradiction between operational capability and spacing precision.
2Ease of operation
If opto-mechatronic deflection is used for beam-steering, then beam steering is achieved, but high power and extensive tuning are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for high-power mechanical actuators by replacing the opto-mechatronic system with a passive or actively-controlled diffractive optical element. This substitution dramatically reduces power consumption as the beam steering is achieved through optical phase modulation rather than mechanical movement, while maintaining full steering functionality.
3Productivity
If conventional beam-steering methods are used, then beam projection is achieved, but non-uniform coverage results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using diffractive optical elements with spatially varying phase profiles that compensate for the non-uniform beam spacing inherent in conventional steering methods. Each region of the optical aperture is designed with specific phase characteristics to ensure that the resulting beam pattern achieves uniform coverage across the entire field of view, while maintaining high projection capability.
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 system achieves uniform beam coverage and reduces power consumption while maintaining accurate range detection and Doppler shift analysis, enhancing performance in LIDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
refractive beam-steering system that produces even spacing in the projected beam
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, includes a first scanner that receives a beam transmitted along an optical axis and projects the beam, a second scanner that is positioned along the optical axis, one or more motors that are coupled to the first scanner and the second scanner, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to generate, based on one or more components of a particular waveform, a signal indicating data including a relative phase between the first scanner and the second scanner, and transmit the generated signal to the one or more motors, the signal causing the one or more motors to rotate the first scanner and the second scanner.