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 receiving first image data associated with a first image of an object illuminated at a first wavelength and captured by a camera at the first wavelength, the first image data including first pixel data for a first pixel of the first image and second pixel data for a second pixel of the first image. The example method may also include calculating a first reflectance value for the first pixel using the first pixel data. The example method may also include calculating a second reflectance value for the second pixel using the second pixel data. The example method may also include generating, using first reflectance value and the second reflectance value, a first reflectance distribution of the object.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and computer program products for image based LiDAR-camera synchronization. An example method may include: obtaining an image from an image sensor; detecting at least one edge of a pattern in the image, the pattern corresponding to at least one electromagnetic wave emitted from a rangefinder system; determining an offset between the pattern and the image based on the at least one edge of the pattern; determining the offset satisfies a synchronization threshold; and based on the determining the offset satisfies a synchronization threshold, adjusting a synchronization parameter of the image sensor or rangefinder system.

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 receiving first image data associated with a first image of an object illuminated at a first wavelength and captured by a camera at the first wavelength, the first image data including first pixel data for a first pixel of the first image and second pixel data for a second pixel of the first image. The example method may also include calculating a first reflectance value for the first pixel using the first pixel data. The example method may also include calculating a second reflectance value for the second pixel using the second pixel data. The example method may also include generating, using first reflectance value and the second reflectance value, a first reflectance distribution of the object.

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 receiving first image data associated with a first image of an object illuminated at a first wavelength and captured by a camera at the first wavelength, the first image data including first pixel data for a first pixel of the first image and second pixel data for a second pixel of the first image. The example method may also include calculating a first reflectance value for the first pixel using the first pixel data. The example method may also include calculating a second reflectance value for the second pixel using the second pixel data. The example method may also include generating, using first reflectance value and the second reflectance value, a first reflectance distribution of the object.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for characterizing LIDAR point cloud quality. An example method may involve capturing a first point cloud for a test target including a retroreflective object, the first point cloud including a first region. The example method may also involve capturing, by a LIDAR system, a second point cloud for the test target. The example method may also involve applying a penalty function to a first point in the second point cloud, wherein the first point is within an acceptable error threshold based on the first region. The example method may also involve applying a penalty function to a second point in the second point cloud, wherein the second point is outside of the acceptable error threshold based on the first region. The example method may also involve generating a first score for the first point and a second score for the second point based on the penalty function.

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 receiving first image data associated with a first image of an object illuminated at a first wavelength and captured by a camera at the first wavelength, the first image data including first pixel data for a first pixel of the first image and second pixel data for a second pixel of the first image. The example method may also include calculating a first reflectance value for the first pixel using the first pixel data. The example method may also include calculating a second reflectance value for the second pixel using the second pixel data. The example method may also include generating, using first reflectance value and the second reflectance value, a first reflectance distribution of the object.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for sensor health and regression testing. A sensor testing system may include a first plurality of sensor testing targets positioned on a first side of a vehicle at a first distance from the vehicle, a second plurality of sensor testing targets positioned on a second side of the vehicle at the first distance, and a first sensor testing target positioned at a second distance from the vehicle, the second distance further from the vehicle than the first distance. The first and second pluralities of sensor testing targets both may include three or more sensor testing targets for testing cameras and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors of the vehicle. The first sensor testing target may be used to test at least one of camera or LIDAR data. The sensor testing system may identify degradation of sensor performance, triggering further analysis and/or repairs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for light backscattering mitigation in LIDAR systems in some embodiments, an example method may include emitting, by an emitter, an outbound light signal. The example method may also include receiving, by a circulator disposed a first path of the outbound light signal and a second path of a return light signal, the outbound light signal from the emitter. The example method may also include outputting the outbound light signal. The example method may also include receiving, by the circulator, the return light signal from an environment, the return light signal comprising a first portion in a first polarization state and a second portion in a second polarization state. The example method may also include providing, by the circulator and on a third path, the first portion of the return light signal to a first element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for improved short range object detection in LIDAR systems. An example method may include providing, by a biasing voltage source, a first biasing voltage to a photodetector of a LIDAR system at a first time corresponding to a light emission from an emitter of the LIDAR system. The example method may also include providing, by the biasing voltage source, a second biasing voltage to the photodetector at a second time subsequent to the first time. The example method may also include receiving, by a pole/zero cancellation subcircuit of the LIDAR system, a first output signal from the photodetector. The example method may also include removing, by the pole/zero cancellation subcircuit, an undershoot or overshoot from the first output signal. The example method may also include receiving, by a first gain subcircuit, a second output signal from the pole/zero cancellation subcircuit.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a horizontal array of emitter/detector pairs; an array of lens pairs mounted above and aligned with emitter/detector pairs; and a first curved reflective surface positioned such that for each emitter/detector pair and corresponding lens pair, light from the emitter that passes through a lens of the lens pair is redirected into the far field, and light arriving from the far field is redirected through the other lens of the lens pair onto the detector. Light from each emitter is emitted upwards along a vertical axis, and light received by each detector is incident on the detector downwards along a vertical axis. If light emitted from the first array and reflected by the first surface into the far field reflects off an object in the far field and returns to the apparatus, the returning light is reflected off the first surface and detected by the first array.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus includes a laser for providing energy and resides in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR write apparatus includes a write pole that writes to a region of the media, coil(s) for energizing the write pole and a waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The waveguide includes at least one multi-mode interference (MMI) device. The MMI device has at least one input, a plurality of outputs, a propagation section and a multi-mode interference (MMI) section. Energy from the laser propagates through the propagation section before the MMI section. The propagation section expands the energy from the laser to a plurality of modes. A first portion of the outputs is output from the propagation section. The MMI section is between the propagation section and a second portion of the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus includes a laser for providing energy and resides in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR write apparatus includes a write pole that writes to a region of the media, coil(s) for energizing the write pole and a waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The waveguide includes at least one multi-mode interference (MMI) device. The MMI device has at least one input, a plurality of outputs, a propagation section and a multi-mode interference (MMI) section. Energy from the laser propagates through the propagation section before the MMI section. The propagation section expands the energy from the laser to a plurality of modes. A first portion of the outputs is output from the propagation section. The MMI section is between the propagation section and a second portion of the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a horizontal array of emitter/detector pairs; an array of lens pairs mounted above and aligned with emitter/detector pairs; and a first curved reflective surface positioned such that for each emitter/detector pair and corresponding lens pair, light from the emitter that passes through a lens of the lens pair is redirected into the far field, and light arriving from the far field is redirected through the other lens of the lens pair onto the detector. Light from each emitter is emitted upwards along a vertical axis, and light received by each detector is incident on the detector downwards along a vertical axis. If light emitted from the first array and reflected by the first surface into the far field reflects off an object in the far field and returns to the apparatus, the returning light is reflected off the first surface and detected by the first array.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus has a media-facing surface (MFS) and includes a pole, coil(s) and a waveguide. The waveguide is optically coupled with a laser and directs energy toward the MFS. The waveguide includes an entrance, a bottom and a mode converter having a core, an inner cladding, high index layer(s) and an outer cladding. The core has sides that diverge in width. The core has a first index of refraction. The outer cladding has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. The inner cladding has a third index of refraction not greater than the second index of refraction. The inner cladding is between the high index layer(s) and the core. The high index layer(s) are between the inner and outer cladding. The high index layer(s) have a high index of refraction greater than the second index of refraction.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus includes a laser for providing energy and resides in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR write apparatus includes a write pole that writes to a region of the media, coil(s) for energizing the write pole and a waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The waveguide includes at least one multi-mode interference (MMI) device. The MMI device has at least one input, a plurality of outputs, a propagation section and a multi-mode interference (MMI) section. Energy from the laser propagates through the propagation section before the MMI section. The propagation section expands the energy from the laser to a plurality of modes. A first portion of the outputs is output from the propagation section. The MMI section is between the propagation section and a second portion of the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus has a media-facing surface (MFS) and includes a pole, coil(s) and a waveguide. The waveguide is optically coupled with a laser and directs energy toward the MFS. The waveguide includes an entrance, a bottom and a mode converter having a core, an inner cladding, high index layer(s) and an outer cladding. The core has sides that diverge in width. The core has a first index of refraction. The outer cladding has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. The inner cladding has a third index of refraction not greater than the second index of refraction. The inner cladding is between the high index layer(s) and the core. The high index layer(s) are between the inner and outer cladding. The high index layer(s) have a high index of refraction greater than the second index of refraction.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus has a media-facing surface (MFS) and includes a pole, coil(s) and a waveguide. The waveguide is optically coupled with a laser and directs energy toward the MFS. The waveguide includes an entrance, a bottom and a mode converter having a core, an inner cladding, high index layer(s) and an outer cladding. The core has sides that diverge in width. The core has a first index of refraction. The outer cladding has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. The inner cladding has a third index of refraction not greater than the second index of refraction. The inner cladding is between the high index layer(s) and the core. The high index layer(s) are between the inner and outer cladding. The high index layer(s) have a high index of refraction greater than the second index of refraction.

Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus coupled with a laser is described. The HAMR write apparatus includes a pole, coil(s), a near-field transducer (NFT), and a dielectric gap. The pole writes to the media. The coil(s) energize the pole. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and directs energy toward the ABS. The NFT is optically coupled with the waveguide and includes a metal nose and a metal cap. Part of the metal cap adjoins part of the main pole. The dielectric gap is between a first portion of the NFT and the main pole. The dielectric gap has a media-facing surface and back, top, bottom and side surfaces. The top surface adjoins the main pole. The bottom surface adjoins the first portion of the NFT. The side surfaces adjoin a second portion of the NFT. The back surface adjoins a portion of the metal cap.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus includes a laser and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) that resides in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR write apparatus includes a write pole that writes to the media, coil(s) for energizing the write pole and a waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The waveguide includes an entrance distal from the ABS and a bottom proximate to the ABS. The waveguide also includes a mode converter, a mode stripper optically coupled with the mode converter and an inverse tapered section optically coupled with the mode stripper. The mode converter has sides converging from a first width proximate to the entrance to a second width distal from the entrance and less than the first width. The mode stripper is between the inverse tapered section and the mode converter. The inverse tapered section has an entrance and an exit wider than the entrance.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole, at least one coil, and an inverse tapered waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The inverse tapered waveguide includes an entrance distal from the ABS, a bottom proximate to the ABS, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side and the second side diverging such that at least a portion of the inverse tapered waveguide between the bottom and the top is wider than the entrance.