Many LIDAR systems available today utilize a mechanical mechanism for beam steering such as a gimbal. However, such mechanisms limit the scan rate, decrease reliability, and increase the system cost.
FMCW is also the ranging technique of choice for a variety of groups attempting to develop fully solid-state LiDAR systems. It is a sensor that utilizes coherent detection that measures the distance of an object with a laser and models its surroundings with precise 3D images. It has overcome the limitations of existing Pulse LIDAR. It is possible to detect objects with a high reception rate even in over high density of smoke, fog, snow, rain and strong sunlight. In addition, it is characterized by low signal interference between LiDARs, which can address concerns that object recognition errors may be caused by interference phenomena that may occur due to the increase in the number of self-driving cars equipped with LiDAR sensors in the future.
Attributes and Advantages
FMCW is a promising 3D imaging technology that provides significant advantages over more traditional TOF LiDAR systems.
Being immune to interference from ambient light;
Directly measures the velocity of moving objects by sensing Doppler shift of light
It can achieve exceptional depth accuracy;
The integration of lidars on electronic and photonic chips can lower their cost, size, and power consumption, making them affordable and accessible to all the multiple applications.
Laser Source:
compact laser diode, reduces system complexity compared to time-of-flight detection because avalanche photodiodes are not required due to the coherent amplification, and low-cost laser sources are available.
Wavelengths around 1550 nm are commonly used in telecom devices and continuous-wave sources are available at a low cost.
This wavelength band also has the benefits of low atmospheric absorption and eye-safety at high power levels.
4D Allows for simultaneous Doppler-based velocity measurements at no additional cost or complexity.
FMCW Players
Aeva
Aurora - blackmore
Cepton
Scantinel Photonics
Cruise - Strobe
AODTBJ
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