Waveguide LiDAR Surround Sensing Without Mechanical Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving accurate, reliable, and robust remote sensing without mechanical movement, particularly in scanning wide angles and processing data efficiently to comprehend the environment for autonomous systems.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR system using optical waveguides with apertures and frequency varying pulses, enabling 360-degree scanning without mechanical parts, and employing intelligent data processing to interpret and comprehend the environment through electromagnetic waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If mechanical scanning mechanisms are used to achieve wide-angle coverage in LiDAR systems, then the field of view is improved, but the system reliability and robustness deteriorate due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning mechanisms with a stationary optical waveguide-based illumination system. The optical waveguide transmits and directs light to illuminate objects at multiple angles without mechanical movement, thereby maintaining wide field of view while eliminating moving parts that would compromise reliability and robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide acts as an intermediary medium that transmits light from the source to multiple illumination points without requiring mechanical scanning. This intermediary structure enables wide-angle coverage while maintaining system stability and reliability by eliminating mechanical components.
2Reliability
If optical waveguides with apertures are used for stationary illumination, then system reliability is improved by eliminating mechanical parts, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide is segmented with multiple apertures distributed along its length, each aperture serving as an independent illumination source. This segmentation allows for standardized fabrication of individual aperture units that can be manufactured with controlled precision, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs frequency varying pulses with different frequencies at different apertures along the optical waveguide. This parameter variation enables the system to achieve wide-angle coverage and maintain reliability without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision, as the frequency modulation compensates for minor variations in aperture positioning and dimensions.
3Measurement precision
If frequency varying pulses are used in optical waveguides, then data acquisition accuracy is improved for environmental comprehension, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits light, directs illumination at different angles through apertures, and encodes frequency information for data acquisition. This multi-functionality enables accurate environmental comprehension while minimizing the addition of separate components that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses frequency varying pulses that can be periodic or modulated in a systematic pattern along the optical waveguide. This periodic action enables accurate distance measurement and environmental mapping through frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) techniques, while the structured nature of the modulation keeps the system complexity manageable through algorithmic processing rather than hardware complexity.
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 provides reliable and efficient remote sensing with accurate data acquisition and comprehension of surroundings, enhancing the reliability and robustness of autonomous systems.
Implementation Method 1
A LiDAR system using optical waveguides with apertures and frequency varying pulses
Implementation Method 2
LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technology in particular is a promising technology for enabling the systems and machines to become aware of their surroundings
Implementation Method 3
LiDAR systems operate on the principle of illuminating the UDAR system surrounding by electromagnetic waves and interpreting the returned signals/wave
Data Source
AI summary
Remote sensing systems, electromagnetic wave radiating/irradiating apertures, one or more radiating/irradiating waveguide configurations, one or more illuminating modules, directional and/or omnidirectional optical modules for collecting electromagnetic waves reflected from distal objects, detection modules/systems, signaling schemes, intelligent data processing methods and algorithms, and several light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems with various modes of operations are disclosed. In one aspect, methods for forming one or two dimensional array/s of radiating/irradiating waveguide apertures along with associated and resulting signaling methods are also disclosed. Methods and architectures are also given for continues radiation and continues scanning of the environment. Several illumination modules with different architectures and fabrications methods and principles of operations are introduced. Remote sensing system signals also disclosed in which the illuminating signal is changing its frequency as it propagates through an illuminating and guiding medium so as to have a novel types of Frequency Varying type LiDAR.