Design and development of an integrated LiDAR sensor for autonomous driving

Automotive LiDAR systems are expected to play a crucial role in the future development of autonomous driving. In the course of the Austrian research project iLIDS4SAM an appropriate LiDAR sensor demonstrator has been designed and developed. Based upon typical requirements for such sensors, e.g. the capability to detect objects of about 10 cm x 13 cm size at a distance of 80 m, a field-of-view of 20 degrees x 90 degrees (V x H) and an image rate of about 17 Hz, a highly innovative 3D laser scanner has been designed which combines state-of-the- art MEMS mirror beam deflection with a rather classical polygon mirror wheel. Integrating a laser diode array of the newest generation, a multipixel APD detector array, waveform digitization as well as online waveform processing, 16 range measurement channels operating simultaneously are realized. The resulting LiDAR sensor offers a range measurement rate of 4.5 million measurements per second, each with the capability to resolve multiple targets. The LiDAR sensor is manufactured as a prototype on the level of an elegant breadboard. This contribution provides insight into the design of the LiDAR sensor and discusses the challenges identified during the design and development phase.