Tunable Laser Diode Optical Beam Steering for LIDAR Miniaturization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical beam steering devices for LIDAR systems are complex and large, making them unsuitable for miniaturization and compact integration in applications like autonomous vehicles, where a simplified configuration is desired for efficient obstacle detection.

Innovation Solution

The use of a tunable laser diode emitting laser beams of different wavelengths, combined with an antenna featuring a grating structure that converts these beams into linear light sources with adjustable emission angles, allowing for two-dimensional scanning without mechanical movement, thereby simplifying the device configuration and enhancing compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional optical beam steering devices are used, then beam steering function is achieved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration complexityVSAvoidbeam steering reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical beam steering components (mirrors, galvanometers, moving parts) with a photonic crystal-based optical antenna system. The photonic crystal structure uses optical diffraction and interference effects to achieve beam steering without mechanical movement, thereby simplifying the device configuration while maintaining reliable beam steering functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters (wavelength, emission angle) by adjusting the structural parameters of the photonic crystal antenna (grating period, groove depth, ridge width). This allows beam steering to be achieved through parameter optimization rather than complex mechanical arrangements, reducing device complexity while preserving steering reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If traditional optical beam steering devices are used, then beam steering function is achieved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidbeam steering reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical steering components that occupy significant volume and replaces them with a compact photonic crystal antenna structure. The photonic crystal's periodic structure creates optical diffraction effects that enable beam steering in a miniaturized form factor while maintaining reliable performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from mechanical movement in one dimension to optical diffraction in multiple dimensions through the photonic crystal structure. The periodic arrangement of holes or ridges in the photonic crystal creates angular-dependent emission patterns, enabling beam steering through spatial frequency modulation rather than physical displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables compact, reliable, and efficient optical beam steering, allowing for precise target scanning with improved performance and reduced size, suitable for integration in autonomous vehicle systems.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna including a grating structure and configured to convert the laser beams emitted by the tunable laser diode to a linear light source based on the grating structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction grating: Diffraction Grating

Implementation Method 2

The antenna, to convert the laser beams emitted by the tunable laser diode to a linear light source based on the grating structure, may receive the first laser beam and, in response, output a first linear light source having a first emission angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS11733583B2Optical beam steering devices and sensor systems including the same

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An optical beam steering device may include a tunable laser diode configured to emit laser beams and an antenna that includes a grating structure and is configured to convert the laser beams to a linear light source based on the grating structure. The tunable laser diode may emit a first laser beam having a first wavelength, and emit a second laser beam having a second wavelength, the second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The antenna may receive the first laser beam and, in response, output a first linear light source having a first emission angle with a surface of the antenna. The antenna may further receive the second laser beam and, in response, output a second linear light source having a second emission angle with the surface of the antenna, the second emission angle different from the first angle.