Solid-State Lidar Silicon Photonics Beam Steering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical LIDAR devices are expensive, power-intensive, and prone to mechanical failures due to moving parts, limiting their effectiveness and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state LIDAR system with an integrated light-coupling circuit that includes a light splitter and resonators with ring assemblies, P-I-N phase shifters, and tunable heaters to steer and phase-shift light beams, consuming less than one Watt of power and enabling a two-dimensional field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical LIDAR devices are used, then a two-dimensional field of view can be achieved, but power consumption is high and mechanical failures occur due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning components (mirrors, rotating polygons) with a photonic integrated circuit that uses optical resonators and phase shifters to electronically steer light beams. This substitution eliminates moving parts while maintaining the ability to scan two-dimensional fields of view, thereby improving reliability and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the light beam into multiple separate beams using a light splitter, with each beam directed to a specific region of the two-dimensional field. This segmentation allows parallel scanning of multiple regions simultaneously, reducing the need for mechanical movement while achieving comprehensive coverage.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical LIDAR devices are used, then scanning functionality is achieved, but manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (beam splitting, phase shifting, resonance control, beam steering) into a single photonic integrated circuit. This integration consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate mechanical components into one monolithic device, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining scanning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The photonic integrated circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it splits light into multiple beams, controls phase of each beam, steers beams to different angles, and enables two-dimensional scanning. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized mechanical components, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a light splitter divides source light into many separate light beams, then a two-dimensional field of view is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light splitter, resonators, phase shifters, and beam steering mechanisms into a single photonic integrated circuit. This merging consolidates the complexity of handling multiple light beams into one unified device structure, making the system more manageable and manufacturable despite the increased functional 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
The solid-state LIDAR system reduces power consumption and manufacturing costs, enhances reliability by eliminating moving parts, and provides a compact, efficient solution for generating scanning patterns with a two-dimensional field of view.
Implementation Method 1
resonators, each of which is optically coupled to at least one of the outlets and is configured to steer at least one of the light beams
Implementation Method 2
P-I-N phase shifters
Implementation Method 3
tunable heaters
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a light splitter configured to receive a source light beam from a light source and split the source light beam into separate light beams, each emitted through an outlet. The device also includes resonators, each of which is optically coupled to at least one of the outlets and is configured to steer at least one of the light beams.