Robust navigation with optical speed sensing

Navigation is a key technology in our physical world that becomes more and more populated by autonomous and robotic devices. Optical sensors combine highest sensitivity and precision with smallest form factor, making them a compelling solution for a wide range of applications. 

At Chirp Light, we enable robust navigation with optical sensors by use of 4D FMCW LiDAR technology.

Measurements with FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) use laser frequency modulation of the laser while the output power is kept constant. The light that is emitted from the frequency swept laser, is reflected from the object and at the receiver optically mixed with the local laser oscillator. The distance to the target and its velocity are calculated from the optical beat frequency that is detected with a photodetector. From the measurement of the distance, the 3D position of the target can be calculated and the additional, instantaneous velocity data in each measurement turns our sensor into a 4D range and speed sensor.

Measuring the velocity v including its direction at consecutive times t allows to precisely determine the path of the robot with a vector sum. Very precise velocity measurements are required to avoid a large error accumulation that results in the navigation drifting away from the true track.

Chirp Light's optical velocity sensors enable robust navigation through unmatched speed sensing performance!