Solid State Lidar Circuit Liquid Crystal Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional LIDAR systems are expensive, bulky, power-hungry, and require precise mechanical parts, limiting their application and efficiency in 3D imaging due to their complex assembly and sensitivity to environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state LIDAR system using a semiconductor-based photonics circuit with a liquid crystal layer for beam steering, eliminating the need for mechanical parts and enabling integration of laser sources and detectors on a single chip, which can be manufactured at lower costs and with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical LIDAR systems are used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to precise mechanical parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering components with a photonic circuit that uses optical phase modulation. The liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device modulates the phase of light waves to steer the beam electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts while maintaining beam steering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical position adjustment to optical phase modulation. By controlling the phase of light waves passing through different waveguides, the system achieves beam steering through parameter manipulation rather than physical movement, reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical LIDAR systems are used, then 3D imaging function is provided, but weight and volume increase due to bulky mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical scanning components with an integrated photonic circuit that performs 3D imaging through optical interference and phase detection. The LCOS-based waveguide array eliminates heavy mechanical scanners while providing the same 3D spatial mapping capability through electronic beam control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple mechanical LIDAR components into a single integrated photonic chip. The waveguide array, phase modulators, and detection elements are combined on one substrate, dramatically reducing the overall weight and volume of the 3D imaging system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional LIDAR systems are used, then object scanning capability is achieved, but power consumption increases due to mechanical motion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning motors and actuators with an electrically controlled photonic system. The LCOS phase modulators consume significantly less power than mechanical scanners while achieving the same object scanning capability through optical phase manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic modulation of light phases through the waveguide array to achieve scanning functionality. By rapidly switching phase states in a periodic manner, the system simulates mechanical scanning motion without the associated power consumption of actual mechanical movement.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical LIDAR systems are used, then beam direction control is achieved, but reliability decreases due to sensitivity to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam direction control with an all-optical phase modulation system. The photonic circuit and LCOS modulators have no moving parts that can wear or misalign, eliminating sensitivity to vibration, shock, and temperature changes that affect mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes beam direction control from mechanical position parameters to optical phase parameters. Phase modulation is inherently more stable under environmental variations than mechanical positioning, as it relies on optical path differences rather than physical component alignment that can drift with temperature or vibration.
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 solid-state LIDAR system achieves cost-effective, compact, and low-power 3D imaging with improved reliability and reduced sensitivity to environmental factors, enhancing applications in gaming, object recognition, indoor mapping, and autonomous systems.
Implementation Method 1
application of voltage to the liquid crystal changes relative phase of all waveguides in the array of waveguides
Implementation Method 2
A solid state LIDAR system using a semiconductor-based photonics circuit with a liquid crystal layer for beam steering
Implementation Method 3
an array of waveguides in a substrate coupled to a splitter that splits source light into the array of waveguides
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A solid state photonics circuit having a liquid crystal (LC) layer for beam steering. The LC layer can provide tuning of an array of waveguides by controlling the application of voltage to the liquid crystal. The application of voltage to the liquid crystal can be controlled to perform beam steering with the light signal based on different tuning in each of the waveguides of the array. The waveguides are disposed in a substrate having an oxide or other insulating layer with an opening. The opening in the oxide layer exposes a portion of a path of the array of waveguides. The waveguides are exposed to the liquid crystal through the oxide opening, which allows the voltage changes to the liquid crystal to tune the optical signals in the waveguides.