Solid-State Waveguide LiDAR for Compact Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active optical systems face challenges with increased size, weight, and power consumption as they attempt to detect objects at longer ranges and wider fields of view, often requiring high-powered laser sources and complex mechanical structures that hinder their practicality for mobile and space applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a non-mechanical beamsteering device that uses a solid-state waveguide, such as a liquid crystal waveguide, to steer a pulsed laser beam in linear scans over specific areas of a scene, reducing the need for high-powered sources and mechanical structures, thereby minimizing system size, weight, and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-powered laser sources are used to extend detection range and widen field of view, then detection capability is improved, but system size, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple discrete zones, with each detector element responsible for a specific zone. This segmentation allows the system to use lower-powered laser sources for each zone while collectively covering the entire field of view, thereby reducing overall system power requirements and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent illuminates only the specific portions of the field of view that contain objects of interest, rather than uniformly illuminating the entire field. This partial action approach reduces the total laser power needed while maintaining detection capability for target objects.
2Reliability
If high-powered laser sources are used to extend detection range and widen field of view, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional heat rejection components
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the detection system into multiple independent detector elements, each handling a specific zone, the patent reduces the power requirements per element. This eliminates the need for complex heat rejection systems that would be required for a single high-powered source covering the entire field.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional systems illuminate the entire field of view instantaneously, then complete scene coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple zones, each assigned to specific detector elements. This segmentation enables selective illumination of only those zones containing objects of interest, reducing total power consumption while maintaining complete scene coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly illuminating the entire field of view, the system applies illumination only to specific portions where objects are detected or suspected, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining detection effectiveness.
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 enables efficient detection and location of objects with reduced size, weight, and power consumption, improving performance and practicality for applications in low-visibility conditions and restricted views, particularly in mobile, maritime, airborne, and space environments.
Implementation Method 1
The LC layer can provide tuning of an array of waveguides by controlling the application of voltage to the liquid crystal
Implementation Method 2
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
Implementation Method 3
A detector within the optical system includes a given number of pixels, each having a sufficient sensitivity to detect the reflected laser radiation from the entire field of view
Implementation Method 4
Typically, range is determined by direct detection (e.g., the 'time of flight' principle), or by frequency modulation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Optical systems and methods for object detection and location. One example of an optical system includes a laser radar optical source positioned to emit a pulsed laser beam, a non-mechanical beamsteering device positioned to scan the beam in a linear scan over a first area of a scene, a laser radar detector positioned to receive and integrate a reflection of the beam, a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to provide a first read-out signal based on the integrated reflection, and a controller configured to receive the first read-out signal, determine a range to the first area based on a time of flight of the pulsed laser beam, and identify a presence of an object within the scene based on a signal level of the first read-out signal, the first signal level corresponding to a reflectivity of a portion of the object within the first area of the scene.