Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for context aware verification for sensor pipelines. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) may include an extensive number of sensors to provide sufficient situational awareness to perception and control systems of the AV. For those systems to operate reliably, the data coming from the different sensors should be checked for integrity. To this end, the systems and methods described herein may use contextual clues to ensure that the data coming from the different the sensors is reliable.

Abstract: A method including emitting, by a light emitter, a first light pulse at a first time; activating a first light detector and a second light detector with different fields of view, emitting, by the light emitter, a second light pulse at a second time; receiving return light by the first light detector or the second light detector at a third time; and determining, based on the return light being detected by the first light detector or the second light detector, whether the return light is based on the first light pulse or the second light pulse when the first light pulse and second light pulse are simultaneously traversing an environment for a period of time.

Abstract: A time master and sensor data collection module for a robotic system such as an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The module includes a processing device, one or more sensors, and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to operate as a timer that generates a vehicle time, receive data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing, and synchronize the data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing with the vehicle time. The integrated sensors may include sensors such as a global positioning system (GPS) unit and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The module may interface with external sensors such as a LiDAR system and/or cameras.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for multi-detector LIDAR and methods. An example method may include emitting, by a light emitter of a LIDAR system, a first light pulse. The example method may also include activating a first light detector of the LIDAR system at a first time, the first time corresponding a time when return light corresponding to the first light pulse would be within a first field of view of the first light detector.

Abstract: A method including emitting, by an emitting device of an optical ranging system at a first time, a first light pulse; increasing, after the first time, a sensitivity of a photodetector of the optical ranging system from a first sensitivity at a second time to a second sensitivity at a third time; decreasing, after the third time, the sensitivity of the photodetector of the optical ranging system from the second sensitivity to the first sensitivity at a fourth time, wherein the fourth time is after the photodetector receives a return light based on the first light pulse; and emitting, by the optical ranging system at a fifth time after the fourth time, a second light pulse.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for intra-shot dynamic LIDAR detector gain. One example method my include emitting, by an optical ranging system at a first time, a first light pulse. The example method may also include increasing, after the first time, a sensitivity of a photodetector of the optical ranging system from a first sensitivity at the first time to a second sensitivity at a second time. The example method may also include decreasing the sensitivity of the photodetector of the optical ranging system from the second sensitivity at third time to the first sensitivity at a fourth time, wherein the fourth time is after the photodetector receives return light based on the first light pulse. The example method may also include emitting, by the optical ranging system at the fourth time, a second light pulse.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for context aware verification for sensor pipelines. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) may include an extensive number of sensors to provide sufficient situational awareness to perception and control systems of the AV. For those systems to operate reliably, the data coming from the different sensors should be checked for integrity. To this end, the systems and methods described herein may use contextual clues to ensure that the data coming from the different the sensors is reliable.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for closed-loop control of a motor in a LIDAR system over a wireless power interface using data feedback over a unidirectional data communications interface. An example method may include receiving, by a controller on a first portion in a LIDAR system, from a second portion including a second motor, and over a unidirectional data communication interface, data associated with the second motor, wherein the second portion is configured to rotate relative to the first portion. An example method may also include providing, over a wireless power transfer interface, to the second portion, and based on the data, a power signal, wherein the power signal is used to provide power to the second motor.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for rapid laser recharging. A pulse emitting device may include an emitter to emit pulses, a first capacitor to provide pulses to the emitter, a second capacitor to charge the first capacitor, a first gate and a second gate to control the flow of current to the capacitors and the emitter, and a power supply configured to supply energy associated with the pulses. When the first gate is open, the first capacitor charges a first pulse of the pulses. When the first gate closes, the emitter emits the first pulse. When the first gate opens, the second gate closes and the second capacitor charges the first capacitor with a second pulse of the pulses. When the second gate opens after the second capacitor charges the first capacitor with the second pulse, the first gate closes and the emitter emits the second pulse.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for multi-detector LIDAR and methods. An example method may include emitting, by a light emitter of a LIDAR system, a first light pulse. The example method may also include activating a first light detector of the LIDAR system at a first time, the first time corresponding a time when return light corresponding to the first light pulse would be within a first field of view of the first light detector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for multi-detector LIDAR and methods. An example method may include emitting, by a light emitter of a LIDAR system, a first light pulse. The example method may also include activating a first light detector of the LIDAR system at a first time, the first time corresponding a time when return light corresponding to the first light pulse would be within a first field of view of the first light detector.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for pre-blinding light detectors. An example method may include sending, by a processor of a LIDAR system and at a first time, a signal to a light source of the LIDAR system, the signal causing the light source to provide a light input to a photodetector of the LIDAR system, wherein the light input to the photodetector causes the photodetector to initiate a recovery period. The example method may also include emitting, by a laser of the LIDAR system, a first light pulse into an environment at a second time. The example method may also include receiving, by the photodetector, return light associated with the first light pulse from an object in the environment, the return light reaching the photodetector at a third time, the third time being after the photodetector has ended the recovery period.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for intra-shot dynamic LIDAR detector gain. One example method my include emitting, by an optical ranging system at a first time, a first light pulse. The example method may also include increasing, after the first time, a sensitivity of a photodetector of the optical ranging system from a first sensitivity at the first time to a second sensitivity at a second time. The example method may also include decreasing the sensitivity of the photodetector of the optical ranging system from the second sensitivity at third time to the first sensitivity at a fourth time, wherein the fourth time is after the photodetector receives return light based on the first light pulse. The example method may also include emitting, by the optical ranging system at the fourth time, a second light pulse.

Abstract: A time master and sensor data collection module for a robotic system such as an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The module includes a processing device, one or more sensors, and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to operate as a timer that generates a vehicle time, receive data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing, and synchronize the data from the one or more sensors contained within the housing with the vehicle time. The integrated sensors may include sensors such as a global positioning system (GPS) unit and/or an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The module may interface with external sensors such as a LiDAR system and/or cameras.