Spatial Light Modulator Phase Control for LIDAR Dazzling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR collision avoidance systems face limitations in dynamically controlling light distribution for vehicle headlamps, particularly in preventing dazzling of oncoming vehicles and adapting to varying road conditions, due to mechanical shutters that waste energy and require moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system utilizing computer-generated phase-only holograms projected via a spatial light modulator, allowing for real-time or pre-calculated hologram storage, dynamically adjusts the phase delay distribution to control light distribution, redirecting light without blocking it, and incorporating infra-red for enhanced visibility and road condition assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical shutters are used to control light distribution in LIDAR systems, then light blocking for collision avoidance is achieved, but energy is wasted and moving parts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shutters with a spatial light modulator that uses phase modulation to control light distribution. The SLM divides the pupil into multiple zones, each with controllable phase delay, allowing light to be redirected constructively or destructively in specific directions without physical blocking. This eliminates moving parts and energy waste associated with mechanical shutters while achieving the same collision avoidance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the phase parameter of light waves across different pupil zones to control light distribution dynamically. By adjusting phase delays in each zone independently, the system can redirect light away from oncoming vehicles or concentrate it in desired directions, achieving adaptive illumination patterns without mechanical movement or energy loss from blocking.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical shutters are used to control light distribution, then light blocking is achieved, but moving parts are required reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical shutters and replaces them with an electronically controlled spatial light modulator. The SLM uses phase modulation to redirect light through wave interference patterns, achieving the same dazzling prevention function without any moving parts. This solid-state approach significantly improves reliability by removing mechanical failure points.
3Loss of energy
If phase-only holograms are used for light control, then energy efficiency is improved, but complex optical processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pupil into multiple controllable zones, each independently modulated by the spatial light modulator. This segmentation allows phase-only control in each zone to collectively achieve complex light distribution patterns, making the system more manageable and efficient while maintaining energy effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator acts as an intermediary device that translates electrical control signals into phase modulations of light waves. This intermediary enables precise phase control without requiring complex optical processing in subsequent stages, as the SLM performs the wavefront shaping function electronically.
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 solution provides energy-efficient, robust, and adaptive illumination that reduces dazzling, enhances visibility, and improves road condition detection without mechanical parts, offering improved safety and efficiency in vehicle lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each pixel may act as a light modulating element such as a phase modulating element
Implementation Method 2
A computer-generated phase-only hologram may be used to produce a holographic reconstruction
Implementation Method 3
The position of the reconstruction in space may be controlled by using a optical Fourier transform lens, to form a holographic reconstruction
Implementation Method 4
incorporating infra-red for enhanced visibility and road condition assessment
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a lighting device arranged to produce a controllable light beam for illuminating a scene. The device comprises an addressable spatial light modulator arranged to provide a selectable phase delay distribution to a beam of incident light. The device further comprises Fourier optics arranged to receive phase-modulated light from the spatial light modulator and form a light distribution. The device further comprises projection optics arranged to project the light distribution to form a pattern of illumination as said controllable light beam.