Distributed laser radar
A distributed LiDAR comprises: an optical transceiver assembly, multiple distributed scanning units, and a distributed optical fiber connector assembly. The optical transceiver assembly includes: a light source emitting detection light, and a light receiving unit used for receiving a detection echo. The multiple distributed scanning units are distributed on the carrier of the distributed LiDAR. The distributed optical fiber connector assembly is in coupled connection with the optical transceiver assembly and the multiple distributed scanning units. The detection light emitted by the light source in the optical transceiver assembly is synchronously transmitted by the distributed optical fiber connector assembly to the multiple distributed scanning units. The multiple distributed scanning units emit the detection light to a detected area with a scanning device, and receive a reflected echo from the detected area. The reflected echo is transmitted to the optical transceiver assembly by the distributed optical fiber connector assembly.
1. A distributed LiDAR, comprising:
a central transceiver coupled with a plurality of optical scanners via a communication path, the plurality of optical scanners having a plurality of scanning fields of view, and the central transceiver and the plurality of the optical scanners being configured to be disposed on a vehicle;
wherein the communication path comprises (1) a plurality of optical fibers forming a plurality of equivalent light sources and (2) a fixture disposed at and fixedly holding end portions of the plurality of optical fibers such that the end portions of the plurality of optical fibers are substantially parallel to each other, wherein beams of light emergent from the plurality of equivalent light sources are incident onto each optical scanner at an angle with each other to enable the plurality of scanning fields of view to partially overlap with each other or be immediately adjacent to each other;
wherein each of the plurality of optical scanners is configured to utilize an optical signal to detect a distance of a target within one of the plurality of scanning fields of view, the plurality of scanning fields of view surrounding the vehicle; and
wherein a range of the respective scanning field of view of each of the optical scanners is adjustable according to a motion state of the vehicle.
2. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , wherein
the central transceiver is configured to combine the plurality of scanning fields of view.
3. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 2 , wherein
the plurality of optical scanners are configured to share a common light source.
4. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of optical fibers forming the plurality of equivalent light sources are a plurality of downlink transmission optical fibers;
the distributed LiDAR further comprises a light source configured to emit detection light;
the downlink transmission optical fibers are connected between the light source and the optical scanners;
the detection light emitted by the light source is synchronously transmitted by the downlink transmission optical fibers to the plurality of optical scanners, and each of the plurality of optical scanners is configured to emit the detection light as the optical signal; and
the downlink transmission optical fibers are arranged in an array.
5. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , further comprising uplink transmission optical fibers for transmitting a reflected echo received by the plurality of optical scanners to the central transceiver.
6. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 4 , further comprising an optical amplifier or an optical modulator disposed on the downlink transmission optical fibers.
7. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of optical scanners comprises one of an electrostatic galvanometer, an electromagnetic galvanometer, a piezoelectric galvanometer, or an electrothermal galvanometer.
8. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 4 , wherein the downlink transmission optical fibers are arranged in a one-dimension array.
9. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 4 , wherein the downlink transmission optical fibers are arranged in a two-dimension array.
10. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of optical scanners has an adjustable scanning frequency.
11. A vehicle comprising:
a body; and
a distributed LiDAR disposed in the body, wherein the distributed LiDAR comprises:
a central transceiver coupled with a plurality of optical scanners via a communication path, the plurality of optical scanners having a plurality of scanning fields of view;
wherein the communication path comprises (1) a plurality of optical fibers forming a plurality of equivalent light sources and (2) a fixture disposed at and fixedly holding end portions of the plurality of optical fibers such that the end portions of the plurality of optical fibers are substantially parallel to each other, wherein beams of light emergent from the plurality of equivalent light sources are incident onto each optical scanner at an angle with each other to enable the plurality of scanning fields of view to partially overlap with each other or be immediately adjacent to each other;
wherein each of the plurality of optical scanners is configured to utilize an optical signal to detect a distance of a target within one of the plurality of scanning fields of view, the plurality of scanning fields of view surrounding the vehicle; and
wherein a range of the respective scanning field of view of each of the optical scanners is adjustable according to a motion state of the vehicle.
12. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein
the central transceiver is configured to combine the plurality of scanning fields of view.
13. The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein
the plurality of optical scanners are configured to share a common light source.
14. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein
the plurality of optical fibers forming the plurality of equivalent light sources are a plurality of downlink transmission optical fibers;
the distributed LiDAR further comprises a light source configured to emit detection light;
the downlink transmission optical fibers are connected between the light source and the optical scanners;
the detection light emitted by the light source is synchronously transmitted by the downlink transmission optical fibers to the plurality of optical scanners, and each of the plurality of optical scanners is configured to emit the detection light as the optical signal; and
the downlink transmission optical fibers are arranged in an array.
15. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the distributed LiDAR further comprises uplink transmission optical fibers for transmitting a reflected echo received by the plurality of optical scanners to the central transceiver.
16. The vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein the distributed LiDAR further comprises an optical amplifier or an optical modulator disposed on the downlink transmission optical fibers.
17. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of optical scanners comprises one of an electrostatic galvanometer, an electromagnetic galvanometer, a piezoelectric galvanometer, or an electrothermal galvanometer.
18. The vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein the downlink transmission optical fibers are arranged in a one-dimension array or a two-dimension array.
19. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of optical scanners has an adjustable scanning frequency.
20. The vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein the common light source is disposed at a center of gravity of a triangle formed by a support frame of an engine compartment of the vehicle.
21. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , wherein end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers are separated by the fixture, wherein at least two of the end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers are obliquely cut in different angles.
22. The distributed LiDAR according to claim 1 , wherein the end portions of the plurality of optical fibers are embedded in the fixture.