Improving the Spatial Resolution of Mechanical LiDAR Systems Using a Virtual Mirror Channel and Automatic Calibration

Improving the Spatial Resolution of Mechanical LiDAR Systems Using a Virtual Mirror Channel and Automatic Calibration

Vishnevsky M.R. (NUST MISIS, Moscow, Russia)
Fedorov I.Y. (NUST MISIS, Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

This paper proposes an approach to increase the density and quality of point clouds produced by mechanical LiDAR by introducing an adjustable passive optical element–a mirror. We analyze how the mirror position affects accuracy and geometric detail of scanned objects. Experiments show that mirror-assisted augmentation combined with the proposed automatic calibration algorithm (GPC – Ground Plane Consistency) significantly increases point density while preserving high geometric accuracy. The method does not require dedicated calibration targets and keeps the sensor design simple. Practical experiments and simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.

Keywords

LiDAR; point clouds; mirror-assisted scanning; point density.

Edition

Proceedings of the Institute for System Programming, vol. 38, issue 3, part 3, 2026, pp. 101-114

ISSN 2220-6426 (Online), ISSN 2079-8156 (Print).

DOI: 10.15514/ISPRAS-2026-38(3)-38

For citation

Vishnevsky M.R., Fedorov I.Y. Improving the Spatial Resolution of Mechanical LiDAR Systems Using a Virtual Mirror Channel and Automatic Calibration. Proceedings of the Institute for System Programming, vol. 38, issue 3, part 3, 2026, pp. 101-114 DOI: 10.15514/ISPRAS-2026-38(3)-38.

Full text of the paper in pdf (in Russian) Back to the contents of the volume