Micro mirror gives autonomous vehicles vision upgrade

The MEMS scanner is made of monocrystalline silicon, which has a reflective coating that intensifies the LiDAR’s ranging lasers. The more light captured by the sensor, the more accurately the distance to the object can be determined. Positioning technology integrated with the scanner’s chip allows it to continuously track where the mirror steers the laser beam and which position is being measured.

Simulation is key to real-world autonomous driving

“With our technology platform, we’re able to meet design specifications for new microscanners suitable for use with LiDAR,” said Dr Jan Grahmann, research associate at Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS).

“LiDAR systems are able to scan the surrounding area in three dimensions and therefore detect pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles. Our MEMS mirror splits the laser beam in two dimensions and focuses the light on the object that is being measured. By measuring the time of flight of the reflected light, it is also possible to determine the distance to the object as a third dimension.”