Abstract: A LIDAR sensor system for a vehicle can include a light source configured to generate a beam; at least one optical amplifier configured to amplify the beam to produce an amplified beam; an optical power distribution network; a transmitter configured to receive the plurality of distributed beams; and one or more optics configured to emit the plurality of distributed beams. The optical power distribution network can include at least one input port configured to receive the amplified beam; one or more optical splitters configured to split the amplified beam into a plurality of distributed beams; a plurality of output ports respectively configured to provide the plurality of distributed beams; and one or more optical isolators configured to attenuate reflected signals at the plurality of output ports by coherently interfering the reflected signals.

Abstract: A LiDAR chip of a solid state frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. The LiDAR chip includes an optical switch network and a switchable coherent pixel array (SCPA). The optical switch network is configured to selectively provide coherent light to one or more of a plurality of output waveguides. The SCPA includes coherent pixels (CPs), and each of the CPs is configured to emit coherent light provided by a corresponding output waveguide of the plurality of output waveguides. The LiDAR chip also includes a monitoring assembly for calibration of the optical switch network and/or an interferometer for calibration of a shape of the waveform used to generate the coherent light.

Abstract: A LIDAR system and method for determining a distance and a velocity of a target. The LIDAR system can include laser bank (62) is configured to generate a laser field from a first laser beam having a positive frequency sweep and a second laser beam having a negative frequency sweep, an optical combiner (65), an optical coupler (63), a photoreceiver (66), and a control circuit (69). The optical coupler direct a first portion of the laser field at the target such that the first portion is reflected by the target to the optical combiner. The optical combiner can optically combine the portions of the laser field. The output an 1-output (67) and a Q-output (68) according to the optically combined portions of the laser field. The control circuit can determine a nominal beat frequency, which corresponds to the distance of the target, and a frequency shift, which corresponds to the velocity of the target, accordingly.

Abstract: A FMCW LIDAR system for simultaneous beam scanning of the target environment. The system can include a photonics assembly couplable to a beam steering module. The photonics assembly is configured to receive a frequency modulated laser beam and can include an optical splitter and a coherent receiver. The optical splitter can be configured to optically split the frequency modulated laser beam into a local laser beam and a target laser beam, deliver the target laser beam to the beam steering module, and receive the target laser beam reflected by a target from the beam steering module. The coherent receiver can be configured to mix the local laser beam and the target laser beam to produce an output signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system and method for determining a distance and a velocity of a target. The LIDAR system can include a laser modulated by a laser modulator, an optical combiner, an optical splitter, a photoreceiver, and a control circuit. The optical splitter can optically split the modulated laser beam into a first laser beam and a second laser beam and direct the first laser beam at the target such that the first laser beam is reflected by the target to the optical combiner. The optical combiner can optically combine the first laser beam and the second laser beam. The output an I-output and a Q-output according to the optically combined first laser beam and second laser beam. The control circuit can determine a nominal beat frequency, which corresponds to the distance of the target, and a frequency shift, which corresponds to the velocity of the target, accordingly.

Abstract: A LIDAR system and method for determining a distance and a velocity of a target. The LIDAR system can include a N laser modulated by a laser modulator, an optical combiner, an optical splitter, a photoreceiver, and a control circuit. The optical splitter can optically split the modulated laser beam into a first laser beam and a second laser beam and direct the first laser beam at the target such that the first laser beam is reflected by the target to the optical combiner. The optical combiner can optically combine the first laser beam and the second laser beam. The output an I-output and a Q-output according to the optically combined first laser beam and second laser beam. The control circuit can determine a nominal beat frequency, which corresponds to the distance of the target, and a frequency shift, which corresponds to the velocity of the target, accordingly.