In a significant advancement for autonomous driving and new energy vehicles, scientists at Harbin Institute of Technology have unveiled a multifunctional frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR system capable of simultaneous 3D imaging and multi-parameter sensing. The research, published in Light: Science & Applications (DOI: 10.37188/lam.2026.102), demonstrates a novel approach that could revolutionize vehicle perception systems by integrating imaging and environmental monitoring into a single device.
Traditional FMCW LiDAR systems provide high-resolution 3D imaging but are limited in functionality, unable to detect internal battery states or environmental conditions. This limitation is particularly critical in electric vehicles, where thermal runaway of batteries poses a major safety risk. Early warning requires coordinated monitoring of multiple parameters, including temperature, electrolyte density, and characteristic gases. Currently, these functions are performed by separate systems, leading to increased complexity, cost, and integration challenges.
The proposed multifunctional LiDAR overcomes these hurdles by detecting echo signals from both free space and optical fiber simultaneously. This dual detection enables 3D imaging and the measurement of environmental temperature, gas concentrations, and liquid density in real-time. In proof-of-concept experiments, the system imaged a target at 30 meters with adjustable resolution from 0.3 cm to 1.2 cm. Additionally, it measured battery electrolyte density and temperature with accuracies of 3×10⁻⁵ g/mL and 0.5 °C, respectively. The detection limits for gases critical to thermal runaway monitoring—C2H2, CO2, and CH4—were 0.07 ppm, 48 ppm, and 0.56 ppm, respectively.
The technology leverages optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) by extending FMCW LiDAR principles into optical fibers. OFDR uses a linearly modulated continuous light source for fiber-based sensing, offering high spatial resolution and a large dynamic range. This approach allows for the sensing of strain, temperature, pressure, and gas concentration, making it highly versatile.
According to the researchers, the multifunctional LiDAR system can simultaneously fulfill the key functions of an autonomous driving system and battery management in new energy vehicles using a single demodulator. This integration holds significant potential for improving vehicle safety and reducing system complexity. The team notes, "The presented technique can simultaneously realize the key functions of automatic driving system and battery management of the new energy vehicle with only one demodulator. It holds widespread application potential in the field of new energy vehicles, which is expected to provide a new integrated solution to improve the safety of new energy vehicles."
The operational principle involves calculating target distance from the optical path difference between reflection peaks from the collimator and the target. The reflection spectra of FBG, FP, and MPC are demodulated from their spatial domain reflection peaks using inverse Fourier transform. This method enables precise, multi-parameter sensing in a compact and efficient design.
This breakthrough could pave the way for more robust and safer electric vehicles, as well as applications in spacecraft and other fields requiring simultaneous imaging and environmental monitoring. The research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Postdoctoral Scientific Research Development Fund of Heilongjiang Province, and the National Key Laboratory of Laser Spatial Information Foundation.
