Rotating LiDAR Optical Link for Compact Sensor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR sensors for autonomous vehicles are technologically complex, costly, and difficult to manufacture, with architectures that require precise alignment and separate modules for emitters and detectors, leading to high manufacturing costs and reduced reliability, and they often use unreliable slip ring connectors and expensive InGaAs substrates.
Innovation Solution
A compact LIDAR system with integrated wireless circuit elements on rotating and stationary boards, using VCSELs and SPADs, and optical communication channels, eliminating the need for bulky connectors and enabling efficient power and data transfer, and a thermally stable lens system for stable focal planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate emitter/detector pairs are mounted on individual circuit boards with precise alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple emitter/detector pairs and their circuit boards into a single integrated circuit board assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting and precise alignment of multiple boards, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement precision through monolithic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses both emitters and detectors, provides electrical connections for all components, and maintains the precise spatial relationships between emitter/detector pairs. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate specialized boards for each function.
2Ease of operation
If traditional slip ring connectors are used for power and data transfer in rotating systems, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical slip ring connectors with an optical communication system using LEDs and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and wear issues inherent in traditional slip rings, providing reliable power and data transfer through optical channels while maintaining the rotating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical channels as intermediaries for power and data transfer between the stationary and rotating parts. Instead of direct electrical contact through mechanical connectors, energy and information are transmitted through optical fields, providing a reliable interface that accommodates rotation without contact wear.
3Measurement precision
If InGaAs substrates are used for high performance, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from expensive InGaAs substrates to cost-effective silicon-based substrates. By optimizing the design and using alternative materials with appropriate properties, the system maintains high detection accuracy while significantly reducing manufacturing costs for mass-market deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts inexpensive silicon-based components that can be manufactured at low cost using standard semiconductor fabrication processes. While InGaAs provides high performance, the patent demonstrates that cheaper materials can achieve sufficient performance for autonomous vehicle applications when designed appropriately.
4Ease of manufacture
If bulky connectors and separate modules are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate modules (emitters, detectors, circuit boards, connectors) into a single integrated circuit board assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete components that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while reducing overall system complexity and size.
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 a cost-effective, reliable, and compact design suitable for mass-market vehicles by simplifying assembly and reducing complexity, while maintaining high performance with efficient power and data transfer and stable imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a light ranging device (e.g., which emits light pulses and detects reflected pulses)
Implementation Method 2
Time-of-flight measurements can then be used to make a digital 3D-representation of the target
Implementation Method 3
detector circuitry configured to detect reflected portions of the light pulses that are reflected from the objects
Implementation Method 4
optical communication channels, eliminating the need for bulky connectors and enabling efficient power and data transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A light ranging system including a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a light ranging device configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the light ranging device including a light source configured to transmit light pulses to objects in a surrounding environment, and detector circuitry configured to detect reflected portions of the light pulses that are reflected from the objects in the surrounding environment and to compute ranging data based on the reflected portion of the light pulses; a base subsystem that does not rotate about the shaft; and an optical communications subsystem configured to provide an optical communications channel between the base subsystem and the light ranging device, the optical communications subsystem including one or more turret optical communication components connected to the detector circuitry and one or more base optical communication components connected to the base subsystem.