What is use of LiDAR technology in iPhone 12?

LiDAR is a technology that is defined from image mapping and ranging.

Ranging is meant by " Distancing" the object by mapping with help by lightning. Sometimes, LiDAR also described by "laser imaging detecting and ranging", "3-D imaging".

What is LiDAR? What is purpose of using LiDAR scanner in iPhone 12? -TechKnow|Newkidaa Blog

iPhone 12, including all of its models, uses LiDAR scanner technology in its camera for the best feature and experience while capturing images.

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR is a method for measuring distance (mapping) by illuminating the target with laser light and measuring the reflection with a sensor. The difference in laser return time and wavelength can then be used to make digital 3-D representations of the target. It has terrestrial, aerial, and mobile applications.

This lidar technology can be used to scan buildings, rock formations, etc. to construct a 3-D model. LIDAR can target its laser beam in a wide range: its head rotates horizontally; A mirror bends vertically. The laser beam is used to measure the distance of the first object on its path.

LiDAR scanner technology in iPhone 12

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More recently, LiDAR (also known as LIDAR) has been spotted on self-driving cars, where it helps detect objects such as cyclists and pedestrians. You may also inadvertently come across the technique in your robot vacuum.

Difference between LiDAR and RADAR

LIDAR is a new technology (in the 1960s, while radar was developed in the 1890s), named "light detection and ranging" and LiDAR is portmanteau ( means combination of more than one things) of  light and RADAR.

The terms both radar and LIDAR describe systems used to search or mapping for objects and find direction, but with different technology and different purposes.

Lidar uses laser light at much higher frequencies than RF (300 MHz has a wavelength of 1 m, while UV and infrared is around 200–1000 nm). This means that LIDAR operates over a shorter range (because high frequency signals run faster), but it provides higher accuracy in resolving the expansion of the object reflecting the laser. So it can be used for 3D scanning measurements of the surface of an object, where the distance of the scan depends on the input power and efficiency of the system.

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Apart from the objective, one major difference is the technology itself: due to the frequency of operation, radar requires larger antennas (a system will usually have more than one, relatively far away), and will use LIDAR optic / laser technology , Such as CMOS / CCD

What is LiDAR scanning?

LiDAR scanning is detection of distance of object, volume, width and height in a 3d graph. LiDAR scanning is a latest technology which uses two methods to scanning the object, " Incoherent" and "Coherent".

Apple Lidar Scanner Apple Ipad Pro GIF from Applelidarscanner GIFs

LIDAR scanning is of two types "incoherent" that is known as direct energy detection (which primarily measures the change of reflected light) and coherent detection (best for measuring Doppler shifters, or phase changes of reflected light). Coherent systems typically use optical heterodyne detection.  It is more sensitive than direct detection and allows them to operate at much lower power, but requires more complex transceivers.

What is the best purpose of using LiDAR  technology in iPhone 12 camera?

Apple's LIDAR scanner is said to be capable of scanning objects up to 5 meters away. As the laser operates at a photon level, it is capable of functioning night or day, inside or out.

However, it cannot 'see' through objects, so rain, passing people, and so on, can confuse the system.

Apple launched iPhone 12 Series lassed with latest technology of image scanning LiDAR scanner

A LiDAR sensor is used to measure depth using pulses of light. This allows the camera sensor to accurately assess how far or close a certain object is, resulting in better discrimination between the foreground and the background, which in turn saves sharp and accurate picture shots. It allows virtual objects to be placed in the real world with augmented reality (AR) features when viewed through the viewfinder.

Best purpose of using sony LiDAR scanning technology :

• accurate distance of scanning object
• for capturing best shots
• determine of distance helps in image editing and sharpening while capturing shot
• allows virtual objects in real world with AR features
• helpful for 3D imaging

iPhone 12 uses this feature for real world imagination for Augmented Reality.

LiDAR scanner technology in iphones camers brings two main benefits - 

1. a better range of up to five meters and,
2.  a better object 'catching', which is the presence of virtual objects,( like AR) which are missing behind real people like trees.

Impressively, it is also a quick process, but this speed is only possible with the latest mobile processors. You have heard about ToF in hd cameras.

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As Apple stated at the iPad Pro 2020 launch, the data from the LiDAR scanner are combined with data from cameras and motion sensors, then "enhanced by computer vision algorithms on the A12Z Bionic for a more detailed understanding of the scene." . In other words, there is a lot going on so that it looks comfortable.