Waveguide LIDAR Scanning Without Moving Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR systems using moving mirrors for scanning introduce time delays and errors due to inertia, necessitating a solution for rapid scanning without mirror movement.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system employing a switch to direct signals to alternate waveguides and using a scanning chip to steer output signals to multiple sample regions, combined with a LIDAR chip generating composite signals at a beat frequency for accurate data generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moving mirrors are used to scan the system output signal, then the field of view can be covered, but time delays occur due to inertia and movement errors are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror scanning system with an optical waveguide-based scanning system. Instead of physically moving mirrors to redirect light, the invention uses multiple waveguides with different propagation directions to steer the system output signal to different sample regions. This substitution eliminates mechanical inertia and associated time delays while maintaining the ability to scan across the field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the scanning function into multiple discrete waveguides, each responsible for directing signal to a specific sample region. Rather than one mirror continuously sweeping across the field, multiple static waveguides simultaneously provide multiple scanning directions. This segmentation allows rapid switching between directions without mechanical acceleration/deceleration cycles.
2Productivity
If continuous movement of the system output signal is used to scan the field of view, then scanning speed increases, but errors and complexity are introduced into the LIDAR system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between multiple static waveguides rather than continuous movement. The system can rapidly transition between different waveguide paths by changing which waveguide is active, achieving high scanning speed while maintaining stable, error-free signal transmission through each individual waveguide path.
3Productivity
If multiple different channel output signals are directed to multiple sample regions concurrently, then scanning speed and data generation reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal waveguide structure where multiple waveguides share common input/output interfaces and control mechanisms. Each waveguide can handle multiple channels, and the same switching infrastructure manages all waveguides, reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-channel, multi-region capability.
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 system achieves reliable and fast LIDAR data generation by concurrently scanning multiple output signals, reducing errors and increasing scanning speed.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR chip that is separate from the scanning chip and is configured to generate composite signals that are each beating at a beat frequency. Generating each of the composite signals includes combining a comparative signal and a reference signal that carry the same channel.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the system return signals including light from one of the system output signals after reflection of the system output signal by an object in the field of view.
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system has a switch configured to direct a switch signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides. The switch signal carries multiple different channels. The system also includes one more redirection components that receive multiple different channel output signals. Each of the channel output signals carries a different one of the channels. The one more redirection components are configured to redirect the channel output signals such that a direction that each of the channel output signals travels away from the one more redirection components changes in response to a change in the alternate waveguide which receives the switch signal.