Planar-Beam, Light Detection and Ranging System
A planar-beam, light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system can include a laser scanner that emits a planar-beam, and a detector array that detects reflected light from the planar beam.
1 . A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for an autonomous vehicle comprising:
a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;
a detector array including a plurality of photodetectors respectively configured to detect return light resulting from the laser beam reflecting off one or more objects in an environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
one or more processors configured to:
access a feedback data signal indicative of a condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
generate one or more adjustment parameters configured to dynamically adjust one or more components of the LIDAR system based on the condition change.
2 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a pulse rate associated with the laser source.
3 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a scan rate associated with the laser source.
4 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a laser intensity associated with the laser source.
5 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a detector sensitivity of the detector array.
6 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in an amount of traffic in the environment of the autonomous vehicle.
7 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in speed of the autonomous vehicle.
8 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in probability of encountering a potential hazard.
9 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a weather condition change.
10 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback data signal is received from a data processing system on-board the autonomous vehicle that is configured to determine the condition change.
11 . The LIDAR system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback data signal is further indicative of a data pattern obtained from the detector array.
12 . An autonomous vehicle comprising:
a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:
a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;
a detector array including a plurality of photodetectors respectively configured to detect return light resulting from the laser beam reflecting off one or more objects in an environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
one or more processors configured to:
access a feedback data signal indicative of a condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
generate one or more adjustment parameters configured to dynamically adjust one or more components of the LIDAR system based on the condition change.
13 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a pulse rate, a scan rate, or a laser intensity associated with the laser source.
14 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a detector sensitivity of the detector array.
15 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in an amount of traffic in the environment of the autonomous vehicle.
16 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in speed of the autonomous vehicle.
17 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in probability of encountering a potential hazard.
18 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a weather condition change.
19 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , further comprising:
a data processing system configured to receive LIDAR data from the LIDAR system and to identify objects in an environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
an autonomous vehicle control system configured to control at least one or more of a steering system, a braking system, or an acceleration system of the autonomous vehicle based on the objects.
20 . An autonomous vehicle control system comprising:
a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:
a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;
a detector array including a plurality of photodetectors respectively configured to detect return light resulting from the laser beam reflecting off one or more objects in an environment of an autonomous vehicle; and
one or more processors configured to:
access a feedback data signal indicative of a condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
generate one or more adjustment parameters configured to dynamically adjust one or more components of the LIDAR system based on the condition change.