Abstract: In one embodiment, described herein is an apparatus for projecting linear illumination fanned out along the slow axis of a laser source array. In addition to the laser source array, the apparatus can include a number of fast axis collimators (FACs) to collimate the laser beams from the laser source array along the fast axis, a cylinder lens array for converting the collimated laser beams to parallel laser beams, and a prism array pair for reducing the pitch of the parallel laser beams. The system further includes a first cylinder lens for focusing the laser beams from the prism array pair onto a MEMS mirror, which redirects the laser beams as a linear laser beam towards a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A mirrorless light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device does not include any microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror. Instead, the LiDAR device uses a shifting device to shift a lens array or a laser beam emitting unit, or uses shifting devices to shift both a lens array and a laser beam emitting unit to cause relative motion between the laser beam emitting unit and the lens array. The laser beam emitting unit is a modularized component that includes multiple layers of submount-based edge emitting lasers (EELs) stacked in a staircase manner. Each time the lens array or the laser beam emitting unit changes position, the EELs are activated, one at a time, in a zigzagging sequence across the multiple layers to emit laser beams, with the laser beams emitted from an activation sequence filling up gaps between laser beams emitted from a previous activation sequence.

Abstract: In one embodiment, described herein is an apparatus for projecting linear illumination fanned out along the slow axis of a laser source array. In addition to the laser source array, the apparatus can include a number of fast axis collimators (FACs) to collimate the laser beams from the laser source array along the fast axis, a cylinder lens array for converting the collimated laser beams to parallel laser beams, and a prism array pair for reducing the pitch of the parallel laser beams. The system further includes a first cylinder lens for focusing the laser beams from the prism array pair onto a MEMS mirror, which redirects the laser beams as a linear laser beam towards a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose devices, methods, and computer media for noise rejections in a remote sensing device, such as a LIDAR device. In an exemplary embodiment, a spatial filter includes an aperture dynamically created in synchronization with one or more directions in which emitted laser pulses from the LiDAR device are steered. Photons from all other directions except the one or more directions are blocked by the spatial filter. Reflected photons from the one or more directions pass through the spatial filter via the aperture, and are projected on one or more sets of photodetectors. Noises in the photons that pass through the spatial filter are further to be rejected based on one or more fixed temporal patterns identified in laser pulses emitted by the LiDAR device. The spatial filter can be implemented using an electrochromic display, an array of micromechanical (MEMS) mirrors, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an electro-wetting display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a chip-scale LiDAR device can include a chip with three layers. The first layer includes a number of micromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors. The second layer includes a laser source; a beam splitter connected to the laser source; a number of waveguides, each connected to the beam splitter; and a number of beam deflectors, each beam deflector coupled with one of the number of waveguides. The third layer includes a receiving unit for receiving and processing reflected laser signals of one or more laser beams from the laser source. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are vertically attached to each other using either wafer bonding and/or solder bonding.

Abstract: An imaging-assisted angular calibration method comprises receiving an image of a spatial resolution chart on a flat board, the image taken by a camera positioned at a predetermined distance from the spatial resolution chart; determining an angular resolution of the camera based on the image of the spatial resolution chart and the predetermined distance; and receiving an image of laser spots in a raster scan pattern incident on the flat board, the laser spots emitted from a LiDAR device positioned at the predetermined distance from the flat board, the raster scan pattern generated based on a group of preset values in the LiDAR device. A set of stepwise moving angles of the LiDAR device corresponding to the group of preset values are then calculated based on the image of the laser spots and the angular resolution of the camera for use in calibrating the LiDAR device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose devices, methods, and computer media for noise rejections in a remote sensing device, such as a LIDAR device. In an exemplary embodiment, a spatial filter includes an aperture dynamically created in synchronization with one or more directions in which emitted laser pulses from the LiDAR device are steered. Photons from all other directions except the one or more directions are blocked by the spatial filter. Reflected photons from the one or more directions pass through the spatial filter via the aperture, and are projected on one or more sets of photodetectors. Noises in the photons that pass through the spatial filter are further to be rejected based on one or more fixed temporal patterns identified in laser pulses emitted by the LiDAR device. The spatial filter can be implemented using an electrochromic display, an array of micromechanical (MEMS) mirrors, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an electro-wetting display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose devices, methods, and computer media for noise rejections in a remote sensing device, such as a LIDAR device. In an exemplary embodiment, a spatial filter includes an aperture dynamically created in synchronization with one or more directions in which emitted laser pulses from the LiDAR device are steered. Photons from all other directions except the one or more directions are blocked by the spatial filter. Reflected photons from the one or more directions pass through the spatial filter via the aperture, and are projected on one or more sets of photodetectors. Noises in the photons that pass through the spatial filter are further to be rejected based on one or more fixed temporal patterns identified in laser pulses emitted by the LiDAR device. The spatial filter can be implemented using an electrochromic display, an array of micromechanical (MEMS) mirrors, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an electro-wetting display.

Abstract: The present invention describes a transmission system for removing resonance and improves performance by utilizing air bridges connecting ground lines in a G-S-S-G transmission line configuration.

Abstract: An imaging-assisted angular calibration method comprises receiving an image of a spatial resolution chart on a flat board, the image taken by a camera positioned at a predetermined distance from the spatial resolution chart; determining an angular resolution of the camera based on the image of the spatial resolution chart and the predetermined distance; and receiving an image of laser spots in a raster scan pattern incident on the flat board, the laser spots emitted from a LiDAR device positioned at the predetermined distance from the flat board, the raster scan pattern generated based on a group of preset values in the LiDAR device. A set of stepwise moving angles of the LiDAR device corresponding to the group preset values are then calculated based on the image of the lasers spots and the angular resolution of the camera for use in calibrating the LiDAR device.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring range data and intensity data of a first image frame captured at a high illumination, the first image frame including an image of a high-reflectivity object and a low-reflectivity object, the image of the high-reflectivity object being saturated; acquiring range data intensity data of a second image frame captured at a reduced illumination, the second image frame including an image of the high-reflectivity object, with the low-reflectivity object being invisible; and identifying a saturation region on the first image frame. The method further includes performing a cross-correlation operation between the identified saturation region and a corresponding region on the second image frame to identify a region in the saturation region, the identified region corresponding to an expected size of the high-reflectivity object on the first image frame; and replacing the identified region in the saturation region with a corresponding region in the second image frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, described herein is an apparatus for projecting linear illumination fanned out along the slow axis of a laser source array. In addition to the laser source array, the apparatus can include a number of fast axis collimators (FACs) to collimate the laser beams from the laser source array along the fast axis, a cylinder lens array for converting the collimated laser beams to parallel laser beams, and a prism array pair for reducing the pitch of the parallel laser beams. The system further includes a first cylinder lens for focusing the laser beams from the prism array pair onto a MEMS mirror, which redirects the laser beams as a linear laser beam towards a predetermined direction.

Abstract: In various embodiments, described herein are systems and methods for ambient light suppression on a photodetector of a LiDAR device. The LiDAR device can be configured to scan laser pulses in such a manner that reflected laser pulses are incident on one column of macro-pixels at a time in a macro-pixel array on the photodetector, where only that column is turned on, and the rest of the columns are turned off. The LiDAR device can further be configured to scan at different angles such that laser pulses from a same portion of a target object can be incident on the turned-on column multiple times to increase the resolution of a LiDAR image. Further, outputs from multiple SPADs in a max-pixel are concatenated to form a multi-level digital signal, and a threshold can be used for discarding or registering the multi-level digital signal for further noise reduction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to capture objects with different levels of reflectivity. In one embodiment, the LiDAR device can sequentially illuminate a scene with a high-reflectivity object and a low-reflectivity using laser pulses that differ by one or more order magnitude. The LiDAR device can use cross-correlation to combine the image frame with one or more image frames that each are captured at a reduced illumination to obtain a composite image frame. The composite image frame can show both the high-reflectivity object and the low-reflectivity object at their expected size with increased dynamic range.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a chip-scale LiDAR device can include a chip with three layers. The first layer includes a number of micromechanical (MEMS) mirrors. The second layer includes a laser source; a beam splitter connected to the laser source; a number of waveguides, each connected to the beam splitter; and a number of beam deflectors, each beam deflector coupled with one of the number of waveguides. The third layer includes a receiving unit for receiving and processing reflected laser signals of one or more laser beams from the laser source. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are vertically attached to each other using either wafer bonding and/or solder bonding.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose devices, methods, and computer media for noise rejections in a remote sensing device, such as a LIDAR device. In an exemplary embodiment, a spatial filter includes an aperture dynamically created in synchronization with one or more directions in which emitted laser pulses from the LiDAR device are steered. Photons from all other directions except the one or more directions are blocked by the spatial filter. Reflected photons from the one or more directions pass through the spatial filter via the aperture, and are projected on one or more sets of photodetectors. Noises in the photons that pass through the spatial filter are further to be rejected based on one or more fixed temporal patterns identified in laser pulses emitted by the LiDAR device. The spatial filter can be implemented using an electrochromic display, an array of micromechanical (MEMS) mirrors, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an electro-wetting display.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to high-speed fiber optic networks that use light signals to transmit data over a network. The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to header subassemblies and/or optoelectronic subassemblies. In some aspects, the disclosed devices and methods may relate to a header subassembly that can include: a substrate with a substrate top and a substrate bottom; at least one optoelectronic transducer on the substrate top; at least one top electrical component on the substrate top, the electrical component can be operably coupled with the optoelectronic transducer; and at least one bottom electrical component on the substrate bottom, the bottom electrical component can be operably coupled with the optoelectronic transducer.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes an optical subassembly (OSA). The OSA includes a leadframe circuit, an optical port, and an active optical component subassembly. The active optical component subassembly is mounted to the leadframe circuit. The optical port is mechanically coupled to the leadframe circuit.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to high-speed fiber optic networks that use light signals to transmit data over a network. The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to header subassemblies and/or optoelectronic subassemblies. In some aspects, the disclosed devices and methods may relate to a header subassembly that can include: a substrate with a substrate top and a substrate bottom; at least one optoelectronic transducer on the substrate top; at least one top electrical component on the substrate top, the electrical component can be operably coupled with the optoelectronic transducer; and at least one bottom electrical component on the substrate bottom, the bottom electrical component can be operably coupled with the optoelectronic transducer.

Abstract: An optical transmitter may include a transmit laser assembly configured to emit multiple light beams. The optical transmitter may additionally include an isolator configured to rotate a corresponding polarization state of each of the multiple light beams. The optical transmitter may additionally include a power multiplexing combiner configured to receive the multiple light beams from the isolator and combine the multiple light beams into a combined light beam. The optical transmitter may additionally include a lens configured to focus the combined light beam onto an optical fiber for transmission.