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: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with multiple illumination beams scanned over a three dimensional environment are described herein. In one aspect, illumination light from each LIDAR measurement channel is emitted to the surrounding environment in a different direction by a beam scanning device. The beam scanning device also directs each amount of return measurement light onto a corresponding photodetector. In some embodiments, a beam scanning device includes a scanning mirror rotated in an oscillatory manner about an axis of rotation by an actuator in accordance with command signals generated by a master controller. In some embodiments, the light source and photodetector associated with each LIDAR measurement channel are moved in two dimensions relative to beam shaping optics employed to collimate light emitted from the light source. The relative motion causes the illumination beams to sweep over a range of the three dimensional environment under measurement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with different pulse repetition patterns are described herein. Each repetitive pattern is a sequence of measurement pulses that repeat over time. In one aspect, the repetition pattern of a pulsed beam of illumination light emitted from a LIDAR system is varied to reduce total energy consumption and heat generated by the LIDAR system. In some examples, the repetitive pattern is varied by skipping a number of pulses. In some examples, the repetitive pattern of pulses of illumination light emitted from the LIDAR system is varied by changing a repetition rate of the sequence of emitted pulses. In some examples, the pulse repetition pattern is varied based on the orientation of the LIDAR device. In some examples, the repetition pattern is varied based on an object detected by the LIDAR device or another imaging system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with different illumination intensity patterns are described herein. Repetitive sequences of measurement pulses each having different illumination intensity patterns are emitted from a LIDAR system. One or more pulses of each repetitive sequence have a different illumination intensity than another pulse within the sequence. The illumination intensity patterns are varied to reduce total energy consumption and heat generated by the LIDAR system. In some examples, the illumination intensity pattern is varied based on the orientation of the LIDAR device. In some examples, the illumination intensity pattern is varied based on the distance between a detected object and the LIDAR device. In some examples, the illumination intensity pattern is varied based on the presence of an object detected by the LIDAR device or another imaging system.

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.