Technology
Blickfeld solid-state LiDAR is characterized by innovative system architecture and on-device processing.
Deep dive into the Blickfeld Technology
Blickfeld LiDAR sensors use the time of flight method to measure the distance to objects. The sensor calculates the distance by measuring the time between the emission of a laser pulse and the detection of the light that bounces off the object. The sensors scan in three dimensions using Blickfeld’s proprietary MEMS scanner technology. The powerful software stack extracts abstract information from the wealth of data collected and makes it easily accessible, enabling environmental perception.
Superior Performance
Blickfeld LiDARs feature a proprietary silicon MEMS mirror, which ensures high resolution, extended detection range, and a wide field of view.
Redefined Cost-efficiency
Blickfeld has developed a patented Laser Detector Module for its LiDAR sensor that allows for high-precision mass production, similar to camera manufacturing processes.
On-device 3D data processing
Blickfeld’s powerful on-device software stack extracts valuable insights from our LiDAR’s rich 3D data, enabling reliable environmental perception on device, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
MEMS Beam Deflection Unit
The core of Blickfeld’s 3D solid-state LiDAR is a proprietary silicon MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems) mirror specifically developed for LiDAR applications to provide high resolution, a long detection range, and a wide field of view.
Centimeter-sized Mirrors
In order to reach the range required by our customers’ applications, an especially large aperture is needed. Blickfeld has developed patented technology that makes it possible to manufacture MEMS mirrors with a diameter of more than one centimeter.
Dynamic Control
Thanks to the Blickfeld mirror control, the vertical resolution and frame rate of the LiDAR sensors can be flexibly adjusted even during operation. This allows, for example, the dynamic definition of focus zones in which more detailed data is captured.
Sensor Series Production
Blickfeld manufactures the mirrors with photolithographic production techniques that allow the highest levels of precision even with large quantities. In a highly automated process, a standard silicon wafer is turned into hundreds of MEMS components simultaneously – a method that has been applied and optimized in the semiconductor industry for decades.
Laser Detector Module
Blickfeld has invented a patented Laser Detector Module (LDM) for its LiDAR sensor. The opto-electronic setup is designed to resemble the design of automotive cameras. They can therefore be manufactured on volume production lines with the highest levels of precision, similar to those used for camera production.
905 nm Laser Source
Blickfeld LiDAR sensors use a 905 nm laser source. These laser diodes are very cost-effective and eye-safe, but can only be used with limited power: The Blickfeld setup meets this challenge with an uncommonly large aperture in order to achieve remarkably long-range detection and a wide field of view.
Straylight Suppression through Coaxial Design
The proprietary Blickfeld setup is coaxial, meaning that the optical path of the light is almost identical on the way to the object and back to the detector. As a result, only the photons from the exact direction in which the laser was sent are collected and as little background light as possible is considered. This provides spatial filtering to achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio, contributing to a long detection range.
SiPMs – Solid State Silicon Detectors
The silicon photomultipliers used by Blickfeld are arrays of SPADs connected in parallel that provide high-precision measurements at low operating voltages. The resulting dynamic bandwidth ensures that Blickfeld LiDARs reliably detect both weakly reflective distant objects and highly reflective objects at close range.
Digital Signal Processing
Through careful signal processing, which contains filtering, correlation, and statistical analysis, the Blickfeld software determines exact positions in the three-dimensional space. The Blickfeld algorithms run on state-of-the-art integrated computing hardware.
Perception Software
LiDAR sensors produce point clouds that map the sensor environment in 3D. Typically, individual point clouds can contain tens of thousands of distance points (individual distance measurements). They contain a large amount of valuable environmental information. Blickfeld’s powerful software stack extracts more abstract information from the wealth of data and makes it easily accessible, enabling environmental perception.
Smart LiDAR
Blickfeld sensors do not only collect detailed 3D data, but are also capable of computing and providing enriched information through on-device processing. This processing is accomplished by a high-performance computing chipset integrated into the LiDAR.
Data Processing Algorithms
The Blickfeld perception stack is designed to be used for various applications including crowd analytics, volume monitoring, perimeter security, and comprehensive crowd behavior analysis. Blickfeld algorithms enable, among other things, object detection and tracking, classification and counting, and zone entry detection.
Fusion of Several LiDAR Sensors
In order to capture larger areas, the data from multiple Blickfeld LiDAR sensors can be easily merged. The tracking of objects also works smoothly in the transition area between point clouds of different devices, thanks to high-performance algorithms.
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Features
Detection of objects. Objects can be classified by size (small, medium, large).
Motion-based detection and path tracking. Speed information is captured. The paths of tracked objects are displayed on the X-Y plane.
Zone-based counting. Counting options include total number, objects passing through, and objects appearing and disappearing.
Configurable point cluster-based occupancy detection.
Configurable point cluster-based volume measurement.
Configurable point cluster-based zone entry detection and alarm generation.
LiDAR Technology
Time of flight principle
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