Parallel Waveguide Heater Layout for Low-Energy LIDAR Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength tuning methods in LIDAR systems require high energy due to heating approaches, necessitating a more efficient mechanism for tuning the wavelength of light output from laser cavities.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide heater with multiple heating elements, where electrical connections are configured to provide parallel communication between elements, reducing energy requirements and enhancing efficiency by distributing electrical current effectively across the heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional heating approaches are used to tune the wavelength of light output from laser cavities, then the wavelength tuning function is achieved, but the energy consumption is excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple heating elements (first heating element, second heating element, third heating element) that are distributed around the waveguide. Each heating element is independently controlled and contributes to the overall heating effect, allowing for more efficient and localized wavelength tuning with reduced total energy consumption compared to a single large heater.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating elements are positioned at specific locations around the waveguide (top, bottom, sides) to provide localized heating where needed. This targeted approach ensures effective wavelength tuning while minimizing the total energy required, as only specific regions of the waveguide are heated rather than the entire structure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple heating elements are used with parallel electrical connections, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating elements are electrically connected in parallel to form a unified heater structure. This merging of multiple elements into a single integrated component achieves efficient energy distribution and wavelength tuning while presenting a simplified overall structure that does not require complex control systems for each individual element.
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 waveguide heater efficiently tunes the wavelength of light output from LIDAR systems, allowing for directional control of the LIDAR output signal, thereby improving scanning capabilities and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The heater includes multiple heating elements and has one or two conditions selected from a group consisting of a first condition and a second condition. The first condition is that the heater includes multiple interior connectors that each form an interior electrical pathway between a pair of the heating elements where the interior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the heating elements included in the pair.
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide heater is configured to heat an optical waveguide. The heater includes multiple heating elements and has one or two conditions selected from a group consisting of a first condition and the second condition. The first condition is the heater including multiple interior connectors that are each included in an interior electrical pathway between a pair of the heating elements where the interior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the heating elements included in the pair. The second condition is multiple exterior connectors that are each included in an exterior electrical pathway between electronics and a first one of the heating elements where the exterior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the electronics and the first heating element. The electronics are configured to apply an electrical bias to the heater. In some instances, the heater in included in a wavelength tuner.