Abstract: An optical micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) system is disclosed. The optical MEMS system includes a printed circuit board (PCB), and a MEMS optical integrated circuit (IC) package mounted to the PCB. The IC package includes a MEMS optical die, and a plurality of leads electrically and mechanically connected to the MEMS optical die and to the PCB. The optical MEMS system also includes one or more elastomeric grommets contacting one or more of the leads, where the grommets are configured to absorb mechanical vibration energy from the contacted leads.

Abstract: An assembly for a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system including a light source configured to provide a light beam; light collimator lens configured to collimate the light beam; an active thermal control element having an upper surface; a thermally conductive mechanical structure fixed to the upper surface of the active thermal control element thermal element, the mechanical structure being in thermal contact with the light source, the light collimator lens and the active thermal control element; a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the light source; and a temperature controller configured to receive the detected temperature from the light source and in response control the temperature of the active thermal control element, which controls the temperatures of the light source and collimator lens to the same temperature via the thermally conductive mechanical structure.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging transmitter includes an optical scanner assembly and an extending arm for positioning a light source and a light beam collimator in a coaxial configuration. The optical scanner assembly include a scanner board for installing an optical scanner, a mechanical mount, a first set of adjustable connectors coupling the scanner board to the mechanical mount, and a first set of elastic members between the mechanical mount and the scanner board and sleeved on the first set of adjustable connectors. The LiDAR transmitter includes a second set of adjustable connectors coupling the mechanical mount to the extending arm such that the optical scanner can receive a light beam emitted by the light source and collimated by the light beam collimator. The LiDAR transmitter includes a second set of elastic members between the mechanical mount and the extending arm and sleeved on the second set of adjustable connectors.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging system include a chassis and a galvo mirror assembly. The galvo mirror assembly includes a mirror holder including a handle and a galvo mirror for receiving and reflecting a light beam; a galvo mirror mount detachably mounted on the chassis and including a recess for receiving the handle of the mirror holder; two elastic members coupled to the handle of the mirror holder and the galvo mirror mount; two set screws in contact with the handle of the mirror holder and at least partially in the galvo mirror mount; and a galvo motor in the galvo mirror mount and configured to rotate the mirror holder. The two set screws are individually adjustable to change a compression force applied to at least one of the two elastic members and a tilt angle of the mirror holder (and the galvo mirror) with respect to a vertical direction.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging receiver includes a carrier frame, a lens assembly, a first set of screws, and a light sensor assembly mounted on the carrier frame. The lens assembly includes a lens holder mounted on the carrier frame by a first set of elastic connectors attached to the carrier frame and the lens holder, and a lens installed on the lens holder. The light sensor assembly is configured to both rotate and linearly move with respect to the carrier frame, and includes a board mount and a sensor board installed on the board mount. The first set of screws are in contact with the lens holder, and are adjustable to change a distance and/or an orientation of the lens holder with respect to the carrier frame such that the lens may form an image on a predetermined area on the sensor board.

Abstract: A LiDAR system may include an optical component module including a housing including a plurality of slots and a plurality of posts. A first spring may be coupled to a first post at a first radial orientation so that the first spring extends into a first slot of the plurality of slots. A second identical spring may be coupled to a second post in a second radial orientation, different than the first radial orientation, so that the second spring extends into a second slot of the plurality of slots. A first optical component may be positioned in the first slot so that the first spring exerts a first clamping force retaining the first optical component within the first slot, and a second optical component may be positioned in the second slot so that the second spring exerts a second clamping force retaining the second optical component within the second slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for improving structural stability and duration of light beam steering components in a LiDAR system. A galvo mirror assembly for light detection and ranging includes a top bracket including a first rotatable unit configured to rotate around an axis; a bottom bracket aligned with the top bracket and including a second rotatable unit configured to rotate around the axis; a mirror including a top end and a bottom end, where the top end of the mirror is coupled to the first rotatable unit of the top bracket and the bottom end of the mirror is coupled to the second rotatable unit of the bottom bracket, such that the mirror is rotatable around the axis; and an enhance plate extending between and non-rotatably coupled to the top bracket and the bottom bracket. The enhance plate is spaced apart from the mirror.

Abstract: A MEMS board assembly, a LiDAR system including the same, and a method for making the same are disclosed. The exemplary MEMS board assembly includes a MEMS board having a plurality of through holes and a mount having a plurality of threaded holes. The MEMS board assembly further includes a plurality of spring-loaded posts each formed by fitting a spring into a respective post. The plurality of spring-loaded posts are fitted into the plurality of threaded holes of the mount. The MEMS board assembly also includes a plurality of screws fitting the MEMS board to the mount by reaching into the plurality of threaded holes of the mount through the plurality of through holes in the MEMS board and the plurality of spring-loaded posts. The MEMS board touches the plurality of spring-loaded posts at the plurality of through holes in the MEMS board corresponding to the plurality of threaded holes of the mount respectively.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging receiver includes a chassis and a first mirror assembly. The first mirror assembly includes a bracket detachably mounted on the chassis, a first mirror mount configured to hold a first mirror for receiving and deflecting a light beam to a photodetector, a first set of elastic connectors attached to both the bracket and the first mirror mount to couple the first mirror mount to the bracket, and a first set of screws extending through the bracket and in contact with the first mirror mount, where the first set of screws are adjustable to change a distance and an orientation of the first mirror mount with respect to the bracket.

Abstract: Aligning a detection or transmission module with an optical lens assembly on a chassis in a LiDAR system may include a transparent mounting block, for example a glass transparent mounting block. A first portion of adhesive may be applied between the transparent mounting block and the chassis, and a second portion of adhesive may be between the transparent mounting block and the detection or transmission module. Prior to curing the portions of adhesive, the detection and/or transmission module may be optically aligned with the optical lens assembly so that a path of a laser beam emitted from a laser module of the transmission module is oriented with an optical path in the optical lens assembly to a detection sensor of the detection module. The transparent mounting block allows for visual inspection of the cured first and second portions of adhesive through the transparent mounting block.

Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module for a vehicle can include a chassis, a galvanometer driver circuit board and a main circuit board. The main circuit board may be pre-assembled to the chassis resulting in a blind mating of an electrical connector of the main circuit board to an electrical connector of the galvanometer driver circuit board. The LiDAR module may include pins extending from the chassis arranged to extend through holes in the galvanometer driver circuit board in order to align the electrical connector of the galvanometer driver circuit board with the electrical connector of the main circuit board prior to the coupling of the electrical connectors. The pin may include a threaded portion coupled to the chassis, an unthreaded central portion engaging the galvanometer driver circuit board, and another threaded portion used to secure the galvanometer driver circuit board to the chassis.

Abstract: A detection module may be optically aligned with an optical lens assembly in a LiDAR system with a thermal management block. The thermal management block may be movably coupled to the chassis with a first screw. The detection module may be optically aligned relative to the optical lens assembly so that a laser beam emitted from a laser module is oriented with an optical path in the optical lens assembly to the detection module. The thermal management block may be translated to be adjacent to the detection module and the first screw may be tightened to fixedly couple the thermal management block to the chassis. Adhesive may be applied and cured between the thermal management block and the detection module to fixedly couple the detection module to the chassis. Thermal gel may be applied between the thermal management block and the detection module in order to form a thermal bridge.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a control system for a LiDAR assembly. The control system includes a control module affixed on a printed circuit board (PCB), configured to control a transmitter and a receiver of the LiDAR assembly to emit and receive optical signals. The control system also includes an interface module affixed on a first bracket, configured to operatively couple the control module to the transmitter and the receiver. The control module and the interface module are configured to be positioned at predetermined positions of the LiDAR assembly through the PCB and the first bracket respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an interface module for a LiDAR assembly. The interface module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a first connector interface disposed on the PCB. The first connector interface is configured to be connectable to a laser emitter of the LiDAR assembly. The interface module further includes a second connector interface disposed on the PCB and a third connector interface disposed on the PCB. The second connector interface is configured to be connectable to a receiver of the LiDAR assembly and the third connector interface is configured to be connectable to a control module configured to control the operation of the laser emitter and the receiver. The interface module also includes a bracket where the PCB is affixed to. The interface module is positioned to a lateral face of the LiDAR assembly through the bracket.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a LiDAR assembly with a one-piece frame. The LiDAR assembly includes a plurality of modularized components configured to sense an environment surrounding the LiDAR assembly. The LiDAR assembly also includes the one-piece frame including a base, a plurality of vertical beams supported by the base, and a plurality of horizontal beams supported by the vertical beams. The base, the vertical beams, and the horizontal beams are integrally formed without mechanical connections therebetween. The vertical beams and the horizontal beams are equipped with positioning mechanisms configured to position the plurality of modularized components at predetermined positions of the LiDAR assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a LiDAR assembly with modularized components. The LiDAR assembly includes an integrated transmitter-receiver module assembled on a first bracket, configured to emit optical signals to an environment surrounding the LiDAR assembly and detect returned optical signals from the environment. The LiDAR assembly also includes a control module affixed on a PCB, configured to control the integrated transmitter-receiver module to emit the optical signals. The LiDAR assembly further includes an interface module affixed on a second bracket, configured to operatively couple the integrated transmitter-receiver module and the control module. The LiDAR assembly yet further includes a frame configured to position the integrated transmitter-receiver module, the control module, and the interface module at predetermined positions of the LiDAR assembly through the first bracket, the PCB, and the second bracket respectively.