Selective LIDAR Emitter Deactivation for Interference Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar devices are susceptible to interference from external light sources, leading to false positives in point cloud data and potentially impacting control decisions for autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selectively deactivating light emitters in a lidar device during firing cycles and monitoring for interference by checking if light signals are detected by corresponding detectors, allowing identification and mitigation of interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light emitters are continuously activated for lidar measurements, then measurement coverage and data collection are improved, but susceptibility to external light interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic deactivation of light emitters during firing cycles to create interference detection opportunities. By alternating between active measurement phases and inactive detection phases, the system periodically checks for external light sources that would otherwise go undetected during continuous operation. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement coverage while introducing scheduled interference mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from light detector signals during emitter deactivation periods to identify interference conditions. When detectors register light signals while emitters are inactive, the system infers external interference presence and adjusts subsequent measurement operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt its behavior based on detected interference, resolving the contradiction between continuous measurement and interference susceptibility.
2Reliability
If light emitters are deactivated to detect interference, then interference identification capability is improved, but measurement productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial deactivation of light emitters rather than complete system shutdown during interference detection. By deactivating only subsets of emitters in a phased manner, the system maintains partial measurement capability while enabling interference detection on deactivated channels. This partial action resolves the contradiction by sacrificing only minimal measurement capacity to achieve reliable interference identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the light emitter array into multiple groups that are deactivated in alternating sequences. Instead of deactivating all emitters simultaneously, different segments are cycled through active and inactive states, allowing parallel interference detection across multiple channels while maintaining overall measurement productivity. This segmentation approach resolves the contradiction by distributing the productivity loss across multiple time-sliced operations.
3Measurement precision
If interference detection is performed by deactivating light emitters, then false positive identification is improved, but device operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing light detectors to perform dual functions: normal reflected light detection during active phases and external interference detection during inactive phases. By making the detection subsystem self-sufficient for both measurement and interference identification, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated interference detection hardware. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by utilizing existing components to handle the increased operational complexity.
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 reduces the impact of interference on lidar measurements by identifying and addressing false positives, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of point cloud data for autonomous vehicle navigation.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a laser pulse and detecting a returning pulse, if any, reflected from an object in the environment
Implementation Method 2
determining a distance to the object according to a time delay between the transmission of the pulse and the reception of the reflected pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to selective deactivation of light emitters for interference mitigation in light detection and ranging (lidar) devices. An example method includes deactivating one or more light emitters within a lidar device during a firing cycle. The method also includes identifying whether interference is influencing measurements made by the lidar device. Identifying whether interference is influencing measurements made by the lidar device includes determining, for each light detector of the lidar device that is associated with the one or more light emitters deactivated during the firing cycle, whether a light signal was detected during the firing cycle.