Scanning LADAR with Corrective Lens for Rectangular Field Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning LADAR systems face limitations in achieving a rectangular field of view due to mechanical constraints of beam-steering devices, leading to incomplete coverage at the corners of the field of illumination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lens with areas of varying refraction to correct the direction of light emitted from the LADAR system, allowing for a more rectangular field of view by bending light outwardly from the corners, thereby enhancing coverage and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a beam-steering device is used to scan the field of view, then the system can progressively illuminate subsections of the field of view, but the mechanical constraints of the beam-steering device cause incomplete coverage at the corners of the field of illumination
Solution Approach 1:
A corrective lens is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the beam-steering device and the photodetector array. This lens mediates the optical path by compensating for the mechanical constraints of the beam-steering device, enabling complete coverage of the field of view including corner regions that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a lens with specific refractive properties. The lens modifies the light paths according to Snell's law, altering the angular distribution of light to ensure uniform coverage across the entire field of view, particularly at the corners where the beam-steering device alone would fail to provide adequate illumination.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the beam-steering device scans light across the field of view, then the system maintains lower laser peak power, but the scanning method results in non-uniform illumination density at different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The corrective lens is designed with spatially varying refractive indices or curvature to provide different degrees of correction at different locations. The lens structure is optimized to ensure uniform illumination density across the entire field of view, with specific optical characteristics tailored to compensate for the scanning pattern's inherent non-uniformity at corner regions.
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 improves the scanning LADAR system's field of view by ensuring complete coverage and maintaining spatial resolution, particularly at the edges, thus enhancing the accuracy of environmental mapping and object detection.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a lens with areas of varying refraction to correct the direction of light emitted from the LADAR system, allowing for a more rectangular field of view by bending light outwardly from the corners
Data Source
AI summary
A LADAR sensor includes a light emitter, a lens having areas of different refraction, a beam-steering device, and a light sensor. The beam-steering device is between the light emitter and the lens to direct light from the light emitter through the lens. The beam-steering device is designed to scan the aim of light from the light emitter to different ones of the areas of different refraction. The light sensor has a plurality of photodetectors. A controller is programmed to selectively power different combinations of the photodetectors based on the aim of the beam-steering device at the areas of different refraction.