Low cost small size LIDAR for automotive

Abstract

A LiDAR sensor having particular application for use on a vehicle. The LiDAR sensor includes a plurality of spaced apart VCSEL arrays each including a single lens, where the lens for each VCSEL array directs the beam of the particular laser in the array that is illuminated in a desired direction so that turning on and off of the lasers in each array creates a scanning effect. The number and the size of the VCSEL arrays are selected to provide the desired FOV for the sensor, where the VCSEL arrays can be positioned on a curved platform to provide that FOV. The sensor also includes one or more detectors for detecting reflections of the laser beams emitted by the lasers. Control electronics are provided to scan the laser beams and generate a three-dimensional point cloud of return image points.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 936,524, filed February 6, 2014, and entitled LOW COST SMALL SIZE LIDAR FORAUTOMOTIVE. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to LiDAR sensors, and more particularly to LiDAR sensors for automotive applications, where the sensor uses multiple vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays, each comprising an independent lens. Background technique [0004] Modern vehicles sometimes include various active safety and control systems, such as collision avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control systems, lane keeping systems, lane centering systems, etc., where vehicle technology is evolving towards semi- and fully autonomously driven vehicles. For example, collision avoidance systems known in the art provide automatic vehicle control, such as braking, when a potential or imminent collision with another vehicle...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, this known LiDAR sensor is limited in its FOV, since for larger FOVs a lens design would be required to produce high spatial resolution which would be very difficult to implement, especially at low cost

Even known fisheye type lenses with large FOV are limited in their FOV and provide poor resolution at their edges

Furthermore, as the size of the VCSEL array increases to provide a wider FOV, the cost to provide such a large VCSEL array increases significantly

Also, the combination of a good collimated beam and a large FOV required for resolution and eye safety is difficult to obtain at low cost

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