Wavelength-Dependent Light Deflection for Parallel LIDAR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar devices face challenges in achieving high frame rates due to the need for reciprocating light beams to acquire information from objects, leading to complex and large systems when multiple devices are parallelly operated to reduce pixel number and increase frame rate.
Innovation Solution
A light deflection device that simultaneously and parallelly deflects light beams with different wavelengths at distinct angles based on wavelength and refractive index, allowing for simple system operation and efficient data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple lidar devices are parallelly operated to reduce pixel number and increase frame rate, then frame rate is improved, but device complexity and system size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lidar system into multiple independent lidar devices, each handling a portion of the field of view. By segmenting the overall imaging task across multiple simpler units, the system achieves high frame rates through parallel processing while keeping individual device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal parallelism as a new dimension for processing. Multiple lidar devices operate simultaneously in time and space, with each device capturing data at different times or positions, thereby increasing overall productivity without requiring each individual device to be overly complex
2Speed
If mechanical light deflection device with rotating polygon mirror is used, then scanning speed is improved, but stability deteriorates in vibrating mobile bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating polygon mirror system with a MEMS-based light deflection device. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts that are sensitive to vibration, thereby improving stability while maintaining high scanning speed through the micro-electro-mechanical system's precise control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a MEMS mirror that can dynamically adjust its orientation in real-time based on control signals. This dynamic control mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and maintain stability while achieving high scanning speeds through electronic control rather than mechanical rotation
3Stability of the object's composition
If small integrated mirror using MEMS technique is used, then stability is improved, but scanning speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameters of the MEMS mirror system, including the driving frequency, amplitude, and pulse width modulation, to optimize both stability and scanning speed. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high scanning speeds while maintaining the stability benefits of the MEMS architecture
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 approach enables a parallel operation of lidar devices with a simple constitution, enhancing frame rates without the need for complex system synchronization, thus improving data acquisition efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a beam deflector having a deflection angle that has dependency on a wavelength and a refractive index
Implementation Method 2
light is gradually leaked from the waveguide by a weak diffraction grating to form the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
In a light deflection device and a lidar device, a parallel operation can be realized with a simple constitution, so as to avoid enlargement or complication of a system. The reflection angle of the light deflection device depends on a wavelength and a refractive index, so that light beams with respective wavelengths different from each other are simultaneously and parallelly deflected in directions of deflection angles each defined by the wavelength and the refractive index. The light beams with the plural wavelengths different from each other are deflected at the different deflection angles each defined by each wavelength and the refractive index, so that they can be deflected simultaneously and parallelly. The plural deflected light beams can be distinguished from each other based on the difference in the wavelength and the deflection angle of the light, even in the simultaneous and parallel operation.