LIDAR device with polygon-shape mirror and prism for autonomous driving vehicles
US11604260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/931
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A two dimensional (2D) LIDAR scanning system that uses a combination of a rotating polygonal mirror and a rotatable prism to scan an area of an object. The polygonal mirror and prism are rotated in combination to generate a scanning pattern. A pulsed laser is directed to the polygonal mirror and the prism is held in a fixed position. The polygonal mirror is then incremented a plurality of times to generate a scan line of LIDAR data. The prism is then incremented and a next scan line, e.g., up or down from the first scan line, is generated. An avalanche photodiode (APD) can read the reflections of objects for each scan point. Object reflections can be directed to the APD using either a polarizing beam splitter with a quarter wave plate, or a 50-50 beam splitter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.