Tilted Polygon Mirror for Expanded LiDAR Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensing systems, such as LiDAR, face limitations in expanding the scanning field of view (FOV) due to the integration of a polygon scanner with a small angle scanner, which restricts effective 2D scanning.
Innovation Solution
A polygon scanning mirror with facets tilted at different vertical angles is used to scan horizontal lines at various vertical positions, allowing for an expanded FOV in the vertical dimension, and a planar mirror directs light beams sinusoidally onto facets to enhance scanning coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a polygon scanner is integrated with a small angle scanner for the fast axis, then the scanning field of view is limited, but the system complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The polygon scanner is divided into multiple facets, each with different vertical tilt angles. This segmentation allows each facet to scan horizontal lines at different vertical positions, effectively expanding the overall scanning field of view while using a single integrated scanner component.
Solution Approach 2:
Each facet of the polygon scanner is given a specific local property (different vertical tilt angle) to perform a specialized function. Facets with different tilt angles are positioned to scan different vertical regions, creating a composite wide-angle scanning capability through localized functional differentiation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate one-axis scanning mirrors are used for 2D scanning, then the scanning field of view is expanded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple scanning functions are merged into a single polygon scanner by tilting different facets at different vertical angles. The polygon scanner simultaneously performs both horizontal scanning (through rotation) and vertical scanning (through facet tilts), replacing what would traditionally require two separate scanning mirrors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The polygon scanner is designed to perform multiple scanning functions - both horizontal and vertical scanning - within a single device. By making the scanner multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate scanning components while maintaining expanded 2D field of view capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a solid-state scanner with small aperture is used for fast axis scanning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the scanning field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning capability is extended from a single horizontal dimension to two dimensions by utilizing the vertical tilt angles of different facets. This dimensional extension allows the scanner to cover a broader field of view without requiring a physically larger aperture, effectively using angular space rather than physical space expansion.
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 configuration enables a stable scan rate and expanded 2D scanning field of view, overcoming the limitations of single-axis mirror systems while maintaining the benefits of polygon scanners.
Implementation Method 1
a polygon scanning mirror with a plurality of facets each configured to steer a light beam towards an object during a scanning procedure
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide for a scanner of an optical sensing system. The scanner may include a polygon scanning mirror with a plurality of facets each configured to steer a light beam towards an object during a scanning procedure. The scanner may include a driver configured to rotate the polygon scanning mirror in a horizontal plane during the scanning procedure. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of facets may be tilted at a different angle with respect to the horizontal plane.