3D lidar scene projector (LSP) for the performance testing of large-array flash lidar systems for autonomous vehicles

Flash lidars utilize array-type detectors to rapidly capture detailed 3D point clouds without scanning, making them crucial for automotive sensing. This paper presents a 3D lidar scene projector (LSP) designed to assess the performance of large-array flash lidar systems. The LSP improves the lidar testing efficiency: it reduces testing time from over 2 days to about 30 min (a 99 % acceleration) and reduces spatial footprint requirements from 500 m² to 4 m² (a 99 % reduction). Initially, using time-domain tomography, we break down the 3D point cloud of a lidar scene into 2D time slices. Subsequently, a spatial light modulator (SLM) is utilized to create optical patterns that represent these time slices. These patterns are then superimposed and imaged using integrated imaging to construct a 3D image. The LSP achieves a spatial resolution of 640 × 512 pixels, a distance simulation range of 0.5 ∼ 50 m, a distance simulation resolution of 15 mm, 12 depth levels, a depth of field (DOF) of 180 mm, a field of view (FOV) of 64°×53°, and a maximum frame rate of 10.6 kHz. Our 3D LSP eliminates reliance on manual adjustments reflectivity boards, and has been deployed as a terminal testing instrument on a lidar mass production line. The LSP's exceptional testing efficiency demonstrates its potential to advance intelligent vehicle technology.