Varying waveforms across frames in frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar systems

US11971508B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG · BB

Inventors

• Chenghui Hao · Kokomo, US
• Michael D. Delaus · Andover, US
• Geng Fu · Clifton Park, US
• Denis Rainko · Essen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 8, 2020
• Grant date: Apr 30, 2024
• Expiry date: Dec 21, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/931
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This document describes techniques and systems to vary waveforms across frames in lidar systems. The described lidar system transmits signals with different waveforms for the same pixel of consecutive frames to avoid a return signal overlapping with a noise spike or a frequency component of another return signal. The different waveforms can be formed using different frequency modulations, different amplitude modulations, or a combination thereof for the same pixel of consecutive frames. The lidar system can change the waveform of the transmit signal for the same pixel of a subsequent frame automatically or in response to determining that a signal-to-noise ratio of the return signal of an initial frame is below a threshold value. In this way, the lidar system can increase the signal-to-noise ratios in return signals. These improvements allow the lidar system to increase its accuracy in determining the characteristics of objects that reflected the return signals.