Time multiplex of lidar air-data optical channels
AssigneeHoneywell Aerospace US LLC
InventorsMikulas Jandak, Jan Pekarek, Zbynek Drasal, Viktor Drazan, Jan Popelka, Jan Oklestek
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Abstract
Various embodiments describe time-multiplexing of optical channels in an air data sensor. At least one switch outputs a reference optical signal, and each of a plurality of backscattered optical signals to at least one common optical path at a time. Alternatively stated, the at least one common optical path is configured to receive the reference optical signal and at least one of the backscattered optical signals in sequence. In doing so, the extent of systematic bias present in the at least one common optical path can be compensated for and even reduced during sensor operation.
Claims20
An air data sensor, comprising:
- a light source configured to generate a reference optical signal;
- an optical transceiver coupled to the light source, wherein the optical transceiver is configured to transmit the reference optical signal external to the air data sensor in a plurality of directions, and in response to receive backscattered optical signals from each of the plurality of directions;
- at least one switch coupled to the optical transceiver, wherein the at least one switch is configured to output the reference optical signal and at least one of the backscattered optical signals to at least one common optical path, wherein in a first configuration the at least one switch is configured to output the reference optical signal to the at least one common optical path, wherein in a second configuration, the at least one switch is configured to output the at least one of the backscattered optical signals to the at least one common optical path;
- a detector coupled to the at least one switch via the at least one common optical path and configured to detect the reference optical signal and the backscattered optical signals received from the at least one switch;
- and
- at least one processor coupled to the detector and the at least one switch, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the reference optical signal and the backscattered optical signals, and to set the at least one switch in the first configuration or the second configuration.
A system, comprising:
- a light source coupled to a vehicle and configured to generate a reference optical signal;
- an optical transceiver coupled to the light source, wherein the optical transceiver is configured to transmit the reference optical signal external to the vehicle in a plurality of directions, and in response to receive backscattered optical signals from each of the plurality of directions;
- at least one switch coupled to the optical transceiver, wherein the at least one switch is configured to output the reference optical signal and the backscattered optical signals to at least one common optical path, wherein each of the at least one common optical path receives the reference optical signal and at least one of the backscattered optical signals in sequence;
- a detector coupled to the at least one switch via the at least one common optical path and configured to detect the reference optical signal and the backscattered optical signals received from the at least one switch;
- at least one processor coupled to the detector, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine at least one parameter based on the reference optical signal and the backscattered optical signals.
A method, comprising:
- generating a reference optical signal;
- transmitting the reference optical signal external to a vehicle in a plurality of directions;
- receiving a plurality of backscattered optical signals;
- outputting one of the reference optical signal and at least one of the plurality of backscattered optical signals to at least one common optical path at a time;
- determining an extent of systematic bias associated with the at least one common optical path;
- and
- determining at least one parameter compensated for the extent of systematic bias associated with the at least one common optical path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.