Segmented Flash LIDAR Illumination Density and Jamming Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash LIDAR systems face limitations in range and illumination density as the distance to the target object increases, due to the need to illuminate an entire field-of-view with pulsed beams of light, which reduces the system's operational range and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The flash LIDAR system divides its field-of-view into segments, using an array of illuminators and light detectors to selectively illuminate and receive reflected light from each segment, allowing for improved range determination and enhanced jamming resistance through randomization in illumination time and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the entire field-of-view is illuminated with pulsed beams of light, then the field-of-view is fully covered, but the illumination density on the target object decreases as distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The field-of-view is divided into multiple segments, with each segment illuminated by a dedicated illuminator. This segmentation allows the system to maintain focused illumination on each segment even at long distances, preventing the dilution of illumination density that occurs when the entire field-of-view is illuminated simultaneously. Each illuminator concentrates its energy on a specific segment, preserving illumination intensity regardless of target distance.
2Illumination intensity
If the field-of-view is divided into segments with respective illuminators, then illumination density is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The array of illuminators serves multiple functions: each illuminator acts as both a light source and a directional beam controller for its specific segment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components for beam steering and focusing, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high illumination density on each segment.
3Reliability
If randomization in illumination time and direction is implemented, then jamming resistance is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic scanning of segments by illuminators, with randomized timing and directional patterns within each period. This periodic action with randomization creates unpredictable illumination sequences that resist jamming attempts, while the structured periodic nature keeps control complexity manageable through repeating patterns rather than completely arbitrary sequences.
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 system's range of operation by maintaining illumination density on the target object as the distance increases and provides improved jamming resistance by segmenting the field-of-view and randomizing illumination parameters.
Implementation Method 1
employ an illumination source to direct pulsed beams of light toward a target object
Implementation Method 2
receive light reflected from the target object
Implementation Method 3
determine the elapsed time between transmission of the pulsed beam of light by the illumination source and reception of the reflected light at the light detector array
Data Source
AI summary
Improved flash light detection and ranging (also referred to herein as “flash LIDAR”) systems and methods for determining the distance to a target object disposed in a field-of-view. A flash LIDAR system can include an array of illuminators, an array of light detectors, and a signal processor/controller, as well as have a field-of-view in which a target object may be disposed. The flash LIDAR system can effectively divide the field-of-view into a plurality of segments, and each illuminator in the illuminator array can be made to correspond to a specific segment of the field-of-view. The flash LIDAR system can also effectively divide the light detector array into a plurality of subsets of light detectors. Like the respective illuminators in the illuminator array, each subset of light detectors in the light detector array can be made to correspond to a specific segment of the field-of-view.