Researchers have unveiled a multifunctional frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR system that can perform high-precision 3D imaging and simultaneously measure multiple physical parameters, such as environmental temperature, gas concentrations, and liquid density. This advancement, published in Light: Science & Applications, addresses a critical need in the automotive industry, where the integration of imaging and sensing capabilities is essential for the safety of autonomous driving and electric vehicles.
The new LiDAR system operates by detecting echo signals from both free space and optical fiber, enabling it to capture 3D images and monitor various environmental and internal battery parameters at the same time. In proof-of-concept experiments, the system imaged a target at a distance of 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, and detected gases like C₂H₂, CO₂, and CH₄ with detection limits of 0.07 ppm, 48 ppm, and 0.56 ppm. These parameters are crucial for early warning of thermal runaway in batteries, a major safety concern for electric vehicles.
Traditional FMCW LiDAR systems provide high-resolution 3D imaging but lack the ability to sense environmental or internal states. Meanwhile, monitoring battery health and environmental conditions typically requires separate systems, leading to increased complexity, cost, and integration challenges. The proposed multifunctional LiDAR streamlines this by merging imaging and sensing into a single device, which could significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of new energy vehicles.
The technology is based on the principle of optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), which uses a linearly modulated continuous light source for fiber optic measurements, similar to FMCW LiDAR. This allows the system to achieve high spatial resolution and a large dynamic range, making it suitable for diverse sensing applications.
In their experiments, the researchers demonstrated the system's capabilities by imaging a plastic plate with a "HIT" symbol placed 30 meters away. They also used sulfuric acid solution to simulate battery electrolyte and a multi-pass cell filled with mixed gases to monitor gas leakage. The system successfully demodulated the reflection spectra from fiber Bragg gratings, Fabry-Perot interferometers, and the multi-pass cell, enabling simultaneous measurement of temperature, density, and gas concentrations.
The integration of these functions into a single demodulator could provide a new integrated solution for new energy vehicles, potentially improving safety by enabling real-time monitoring of battery conditions and environmental surroundings. The researchers highlight that this multifunctional LiDAR holds significant application potential not only in automotive but also in spacecraft and other fields where compact, multifunctional sensing is required.
The work was supported by several Chinese funding agencies, including the National Key Research and Development Program and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The full details of the research are available in the journal Light: Science & Applications (DOI: 10.37188/lam.2026.102).
