Robotic Arm LiDAR Transceiver Positioning for Atmospheric Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Expanding the interrogation volume or area of LiDAR systems while maintaining optical alignment and performance is challenging due to cost, reliability, and manufacturability issues with conventional scanning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm is operatively coupled to a LiDAR transceiver module, allowing for precise positioning and scanning without conventional mirrors and scanners, utilizing off-the-shelf industrial manipulator equipment to increase degrees of freedom and stability, and integrate with inertial measurement units for active stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional scanning mechanisms are used to expand LiDAR interrogation volume, then the LiDAR can scan transmit and receive optics at different angles and positions, but the cost, reliability, and manufacturability deteriorate due to complex optical alignment requirements and performance tradeoffs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical scanning mechanisms (mirrors, scanners) with a robotic arm manipulator to position and point the LiDAR transceiver module. This mechanical substitution eliminates complex optical scanning components while maintaining the ability to scan and expand interrogation volume, thereby improving reliability and simplifying manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm manipulator serves multiple functions: it positions the transceiver module in three-dimensional space, orients it to desired angles, and enables scanning motion. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized scanning components, reducing system complexity and improving manufacturability while maintaining reliable optical alignment
2Area of stationary object
If conventional scanning mechanisms are used to expand LiDAR interrogation volume, then the LiDAR can change interrogation area, but the device complexity increases due to design tradeoffs needed to preserve optical alignment and timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical scanning mechanisms with a robotic arm manipulator, eliminating the need for precision optical scanners, rotating mirrors, and associated control systems. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining the capability to expand interrogation volume through positional and angular control of the transceiver module
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm provides dynamic positioning and orientation control of the transceiver module, allowing real-time adjustment of the interrogation volume in three-dimensional space. This dynamic capability replaces static or mechanically complex scanning systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining flexibility
3Measurement precision
If conventional scanning mechanisms are used, then LiDAR can perform atmospheric characterization, but optical losses increase and pointing stability deteriorates due to the scanning motion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing conventional optical scanning mechanisms with a robotic arm that positions the entire transceiver module, the patent eliminates optical losses associated with mirrors, beam splitters, and scanning optics. The direct positioning approach maintains optical energy efficiency while achieving precise atmospheric characterization
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm directly positions and orients the transceiver module without requiring intermediate optical scanning components. This self-service approach eliminates multiple optical interfaces that cause losses, improving energy efficiency while maintaining measurement precision for atmospheric characterization
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) unit comprising an atmospheric characterization transceiver module. The LiDAR unit is configured to transmit light into an external interaction air region, and collect scattered portions of the transmitted light from the external interaction air region. A robotic arm is operatively coupled to the atmospheric characterization transceiver module. A processor is in operative communication with the robotic arm. The processor is configured to control the robotic arm to position and point the atmospheric characterization transceiver module in a direction of interest to interrogate the external interaction air region.