Risley Prism Beam Steering for Uniform LiDAR Scan Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems using opto-mechatronic deflection for beam-steering suffer from uneven spacing in projected beams, leading to non-uniform coverage of returned data, and require high power and extensive tuning.
Innovation Solution
A refractive beam-steering system utilizing multiple Risley prisms with controlled angular velocities to approximate a triangular waveform, ensuring even spacing of scan lines and uniform beam coverage, eliminating the need for tuning and reducing power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If opto-mechatronic deflection is used for beam-steering, then beam steering capability is achieved, but uneven spacing in projected beams occurs leading to non-uniform coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical galvanometer-based opto-mechatronic deflection system with a refractive beam steering system using Risley prisms. The Risley prisms use optical refraction rather than mechanical rotation to achieve beam steering, eliminating the uneven spacing problem inherent in conventional mechanical systems and providing uniform beam coverage across the field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by controlling the angular velocities of the Risley prisms to approximate a triangular waveform. This parameter control approach ensures that the beam is projected with even spacing across the scan area, achieving uniform coverage of returned data while maintaining flexible beam steering capability.
2Power
If conventional beam-steering systems are used, then beam projection is achieved, but high power and extensive tuning are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical galvanometer system with an optical refraction-based Risley prism system. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power drivers required by mechanical systems and removes the extensive tuning requirements, as the refractive system naturally provides uniform beam spacing without complex calibration procedures.
3Reliability
If opto-mechatronic deflection is used, then beam steering is achieved, but non-uniform coverage of returned data results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical deflection system with a refractive system using Risley prisms. This substitution fundamentally changes the beam steering mechanism from mechanical rotation to optical refraction, which inherently produces uniform beam spacing and ensures non-uniform coverage is eliminated without requiring precision mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the angular velocity parameters of the Risley prisms to approximate a triangular waveform, which ensures that the beam projects with even spacing across the scan area. This parameter control achieves uniform data coverage by maintaining consistent angular increments during the scanning process.
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 coverage of returned beam data with improved accuracy and reduced power consumption, enhancing the performance of LIDAR systems in applications like autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A refractive beam-steering system utilizing multiple Risley prisms with controlled angular velocities to approximate a triangular waveform
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.