Scanning Ladar Mirror Control for Selective Range-Point Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ladar systems for computer vision, such as flash ladar, face challenges including high cost, large size, weight, and power requirements, as well as low signal-to-noise ratio and short ranges due to their bulkiness and frame rate limitations, making them unsuitable for widespread applications beyond costly and limited use cases.
Innovation Solution
The development of a scanning ladar transmission system that dynamically targets range points using a beam scanner with dual mirrors, controlled by a processor to generate voltage waveforms for precise mirror positioning and adjust based on closed-loop feedback, allowing for efficient data compression and improved range point selection based on environmental scene analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If flash ladar systems use high energy per pulse laser to illuminate large number of range points simultaneously, then the ladar can achieve wide field-of-view coverage, but the cost increases and eye safety hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wide field-of-view coverage into multiple sequential scans using a scanning laser beam instead of simultaneous illumination. The laser scanner divides the scene into multiple scan lines that are traversed sequentially, allowing coverage of the same area without requiring high energy per pulse simultaneous illumination of all range points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic scanning action where the laser beam systematically moves across the scene in repeated scan patterns. The laser scanner periodically traverses scan lines across the field-of-view, achieving complete coverage through repeated cyclic scanning rather than single-shot simultaneous illumination.
2Area of stationary object
If flash ladar systems use high energy per pulse laser to illuminate large number of range points simultaneously, then the ladar can achieve wide field-of-view coverage, but eye safety hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wide field-of-view coverage into multiple sequential scans using a scanning laser beam instead of simultaneous illumination. The laser scanner divides the scene into multiple scan lines that are traversed sequentially, allowing coverage of the same area without requiring high energy per pulse simultaneous illumination of all range points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic scanning action where the laser beam systematically moves across the scene in repeated scan patterns. The laser scanner periodically traverses scan lines across the field-of-view, achieving complete coverage through repeated cyclic scanning rather than single-shot simultaneous illumination.
3Measurement precision
If conventional ladar systems use large bulky components to achieve long range, then the measurement range increases, but the system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical scanning components with a resonant galvanometer mirror that utilizes electromagnetic fields and resonant mechanical oscillation. The galvanometer uses a lightweight rotating mirror driven by electromagnetic coils, substituting heavy mechanical positioning systems with lighter electromagnetic actuation while maintaining scanning capability for long-range measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the scanning system by using resonant frequency operation of the galvanometer mirror. By operating at the mirror's resonant frequency, the system achieves efficient scanning with reduced power consumption and smaller component sizes, enabling long-range measurement without proportional increases in system weight.
4Measurement precision
If conventional ladar systems use large bulky components to achieve long range, then the measurement range increases, but the power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical scanning components with a resonant galvanometer mirror that utilizes electromagnetic fields and resonant mechanical oscillation. The galvanometer uses a lightweight rotating mirror driven by electromagnetic coils, substituting heavy mechanical positioning systems with lighter electromagnetic actuation while maintaining scanning capability for long-range measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the scanning system by using resonant frequency operation of the galvanometer mirror. By operating at the mirror's resonant frequency, the system achieves efficient scanning with reduced power consumption and smaller component sizes, enabling long-range measurement without proportional increases in system weight.
5Productivity
If flash ladar systems use read-out integrated circuits to capture reflected light, then the system can achieve simultaneous multi-point measurement, but the signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into sequential point-by-point or line-by-line scanning using a scanning laser beam and single-point detector. Instead of simultaneous multi-point measurement with noisy read-out integrated circuits, the system uses sequential scanning with a sensitive single-element detector, improving signal-to-noise ratio by concentrating measurement resources on one point at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single high-performance detector to sequentially measure different points, creating a complete scene measurement through time-sequential copying of point measurements. The single detector acts as a reference standard that is systematically positioned at multiple locations through scanning, achieving complete scene coverage without requiring multiple simultaneous detectors.
6Area of stationary object
If conventional scanning ladar systems scan all points in a scene, then complete scene coverage is achieved, but the frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and prioritizes measurement of only the most important range points in the scene based on scene analysis. Using image data from environmental sensing systems, the system identifies salient features, edges, and regions of interest, then selectively scans only those critical points rather than uniformly scanning the entire scene, thereby maintaining complete scene coverage while dramatically increasing frame rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different scanning densities to different regions of the scene based on their importance. High-density scanning is applied to regions of interest identified through scene analysis, while low-density or no scanning is applied to less important areas. This non-uniform scanning strategy maintains essential scene coverage while reducing total scan time and increasing frame rate.
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
This approach enhances the scanning ladar system's efficiency and range by reducing the number of required range points, enabling higher frame rates and longer operational ranges, while minimizing the system's size and power consumption, thus making it more versatile and cost-effective for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a position of the scanning mirrors by scanning the scanning mirrors according to voltage waveforms
Implementation Method 2
a ladar receiver will receive a reflection of this laser output from an object in the nearby environment
Implementation Method 3
the ladar receiver will process the received reflection to determine a distance to such an object (range information)
Implementation Method 4
adjusting at least one of the first and second voltage waveforms based on closed loop feedback control with respect to at least one of the scanning mirrors
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Various embodiments are disclosed for improved ladar transmission, including but not limited to example embodiments where closed loop feedback control is used to finely control mirror scan positions, example embodiments where range point down selection is used to improve scanning, and others.