Variable Resolution Multi-Beam Lidar Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems face challenges in accurately determining the position and orientation of light deflectors, especially in varying environmental conditions such as rain, fog, darkness, and bright light, which affects their ability to reliably sense and interpret surroundings for driver assistance and autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system that includes a laser emission unit generating multiple laser beams and an optical system transmitting these beams to a common scanning unit, which projects them towards spaced apart locations within the field of view, allowing for simultaneous scanning along parallel scan lines by sequentially illuminating non-contiguous segments, thereby improving the precision of light deflector control and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single laser beam is used for scanning, then the system structure is simple, but the scanning speed and productivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning task into multiple parallel scan lines, with each laser beam responsible for illuminating a specific scan line. This segmentation allows simultaneous scanning across multiple lines, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining a relatively simple system structure by reusing the same optical components for multiple beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical system and detector serve multiple functions by having them handle multiple laser beams simultaneously. The same optical components are used for all scan lines, and the detector processes returns from all beams, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the field of view is scanned continuously, then the coverage is complete, but the resolution at specific locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different illumination strategies to different regions of the field of view. Non-contiguous segments are illuminated with higher density laser beams to achieve higher measurement precision in those specific locations, while other regions receive standard scanning coverage, thus optimizing resolution where needed without sacrificing overall field coverage.
3Productivity
If multiple laser beams are used for parallel scanning, then the productivity increases, but the eye safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent illuminates non-contiguous segments of the field of view rather than continuous areas. By skipping between segments and not illuminating every location simultaneously, the system reduces the total number of laser beams needed at any given moment, thereby maintaining eye safety while still achieving high productivity through parallel scanning of multiple segments.
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
Enhances the system's ability to accurately detect objects and navigate in diverse conditions by providing precise control over light deflector movement, leading to improved reliability and effectiveness in scanning the environment.
Implementation Method 1
A laser is one example of a light source that can be used in a LIDAR system
Implementation Method 2
The light deflector may be controlled to pivot around at least one axis for projecting the light into a desired location in the field of view
Implementation Method 3
measuring distances to objects by illuminating objects with light and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system may have a laser emission unit configured to generate a plurality of laser beams. The LIDAR system may also have an optical system configured to transmit the plurality of laser beams from the laser emission unit to a common scanning unit. The common scanning unit may be configured to project the plurality of laser beams towards a first set of spaced apart locations of a field of view of the LIDAR system. The first set of spaced apart locations may be associated with a first plurality of parallel scan lines traversing the field of view. The common scanning unit may also be configured to simultaneously scan the field of view along the first plurality of scan lines by sequentially illuminating non-contiguous segments in a first set of non-contiguous segments of the field of view positioned along the first plurality of scan lines.