Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with a highly integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, the illumination source, detector, and illumination drive are integrated onto a single printed circuit board. In addition, in some embodiments, the associated control and signal conditioning electronics are also integrated onto the common printed circuit board. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the illumination drive and the illumination source are integrated onto a common Gallium Nitride substrate that is independently packaged and attached to the printed circuit board. In another aspect, the illumination light emitted from the illumination source and the return light directed toward the detector share a common optical path within the integrated LIDAR measurement device. In some embodiments, the return light is separated from the illumination light by a beam splitter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with varying illumination field density are described herein. A LIDAR device includes a plurality of pulse illumination sources and corresponding detectors. The current pulses supplied to the pulse illumination sources are varied to reduce total energy consumption and heat generated by the LIDAR system. In some embodiments, the number of active pulse illumination sources is varied based on the orientation of the LIDAR device, the distance between the LIDAR device and an object detected by the LIDAR device, an indication of an operating temperature of the LIDAR device, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the number of active pulse illumination sources is varied based on the presence of an object detected by the LIDAR device or another imaging system.

Abstract: A plurality of beams of illumination light are emitted from a LIDAR device over a range of angles and scanned about an axis of rotation. The range of angles includes the axis of rotation. Intermediate electronics boards provide mechanical support and electrical connectivity between a rotating electronics board and various elements of a light emission and collection engine. One or more of the optical elements of the collection optics, the illumination optics, or both, is constructed from one or more materials that absorb light outside of a predetermined wavelength range. An overmolded lens is fixedly coupled to one or more of the light detecting elements to collect incoming light over a larger range of angles. A lens element is disposed in the light path between a light emitting element and the illumination optics to flatten the intensity distribution of light emitted from the light emitting element to reduce peak intensity.

Abstract: A method of monitoring power of laser-radiation laterally coupled from a diode-laser into an optical-fiber is disclosed. An input-end of the optical-fiber has a polished surface inclined at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the fiber. The input-end of the optical-fiber is arranged proximate an output-facet of the diode-laser such that radiation emitted from the facet is transmitted laterally into the optical-fiber and is incident internally on the polished surface. A fractionally-transmitting reflective coating is provided on the polished surface, whereby a fraction of the laser-radiation incident on the polished surface is transmitted out of the optical-fiber. A radiation-detector responsive to the laser-radiation is located in a position to receive the transmitted fraction of laser-radiation, thereby generating a signal which is interpreted as measure of power of the laser-radiation coupled into the optical-fiber.