Multi-Tone Continuous Wave LIDAR

Brief Description

Object detection and ranging is a fundamental task for several applications such as autonomous vehicles, atmospheric observations, 3D imaging, topography and mapping. UCI researchers have developed a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system which makes use of frequency modulated continuous waves (FMCW) with several simultaneous radiofrequency tones for improved speed of measurement while maintaining robust spatial information. 

Suggested uses

• Geographical mapping and remote sensing
• Autonomous driving vehicles
• Satellite LIDARs  

Features/Benefits

• Speed: The simultaneous modulation via several radiofrequency tones makes the system faster compared to conventional FMCW LIDARs, as there is no longer a need for successive measurements.
  
• Simplicity: This system utilizes a continuous wave, rather than pulsed, laser, and so requires less complicated optical components.
  
• Robustness: Usage of several radiofrequency tones makes system more robust, allowing for simultaneous measurement of object distance and velocity.
  
• Sensitive, high dynamic range: The system is highly sensitive, capable of centimeter-scale resolution, and has high dynamic range due to coherent detection
  

Full Description

   Researchers at UCI have proposed the multi-tone continuous wave (MTCW) detection system, based on frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR. FMCW LIDAR utilizes a continuous wave, rather than pulsed, laser, and relies on interference techniques to generate highly sensitive measurements. The MTCW technology is an FMCW LIDAR system in which the continuous wave lasers are modulated by multiple radiofrequency tones simultaneously via a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM). MTCW LIDAR is less susceptible to interference effects and eliminates the time-consuming frequency scan of standard LIDAR. This technology has all the benefits of FMCW LIDARs bundled in a faster and simpler system, extending both the applicability and efficacy of LIDAR.

Patent Status

State Of Development

A theoretical study to prove the concept has been completed, and computer simulations were built to support the idea. Additionally, preliminary experimental results were obtained on an ideal target (e.g., mirror).