LIDARsensorid

LiDARsensorid refers to the unique identifier assigned to a LiDAR sensor within a data processing or robotics system. It serves as a persistent tag that distinguishes the data streams produced by different LiDAR units, especially on platforms with multiple sensors, such as vehicles or robots.

Purpose and use

The primary function of a LiDAR sensor ID is to enable correct data association across sensors, facilitate sensor fusion, and support calibration and debugging. By tagging each point cloud, scan, or measurement with its originating sensor, software can apply the appropriate extrinsic calibration, synchronize data streams, and maintain clear provenance for analytics and logging.

Representation and placement

LiDARsensorid can be a numeric ID, an alphanumeric string, or a universally unique identifier (UUID). The ID is typically stored in the metadata accompanying a scan or in configuration and calibration files. In many systems, the sensor ID is complemented by additional metadata such as mounting position, sensor model, and field of view to provide complete context for the data.

Best practices

Maintain a stable and well-documented ID scheme. Assign IDs once per physical sensor and avoid changing them after deployment. Centralize ID management in configuration or asset management tools, and keep a clear mapping between sensor IDs and their physical characteristics, mounting locations, and calibration data. When multiple LiDARs are used, use descriptive IDs (for example, lidar_front, lidar_rear) to reduce ambiguity.

Interoperability and limitations

Some software frameworks rely on topic names or frame identifiers rather than explicit sensor IDs, which can reduce explicitness of the sensor origin. In such cases, maintain consistent naming conventions and ensure metadata includes the sensor ID for robust data association.

Related terms

sensor_id, extrinsic calibration, point cloud metadata, dataset metadata.