A novel cycloidal scanning LiDAR sensor using Risley prism and optical orthogonal frequency-division multiple access for aerial applications

This study proposes a novel light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. The sensor integrates a variable field-of-view (FoV) function by utilizing optical orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OOFDMA) to generate laser pulse streams and a Risley prism for steering. Using this approach, the LiDAR sensor can adjust the scanning pattern and density of the point cloud to match different sizes, distances, and distributions of objects. To ensure security against external threats, the LiDAR sensor incorporates advanced encryption standards (AES) and wavelength selection techniques. Additionally, the sensor employs various methods to achieve accurate and reliable measurements while minimizing mutual interference between laser signals. This innovative sensor has the potential to enhance the reliability and accuracy of LiDAR technology in aerial applications, thus facilitating the development of more advanced urban air mobility (UAM) sensors for diverse applications. The study evaluated a prototype LiDAR sensor that utilizes a coded laser pulse stream and OOFDMA technology for distance measurement. The LiDAR sensor incorporates three laser diodes with different wavelengths and a Risley prism for steering. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed LiDAR sensor outperforms existing sensors in terms of accuracy and precision.