Abstract: There is provided a time of flight sensor. The time of flight sensor includes a light receiving element PD, a first signal line TRGO and a second signal line TRG180, a first transistor TGA in electrical communication with the light receiving element, the first transistor comprising a first gate in electrical communication with the first signal line TRGO, a second transistor TGB in electrical communication with the light receiving element, the second transistor comprising a second gate in electrical communication with the second signal line TRG180, and a control circuit P200 comprising at least one comparator 102A, 102B, wherein the control circuit is in electrical communication with the first and second signal lines TRGO, TRG180. The transistors TGA and TGB of the pixel circuit P100 are turned on and off so that any one of the transistors TGA and TGB is turned on, and the electric charges generated by the photodiode PD are selectively accumulated at the floating diffusion FDA and the floating diffusion FDB.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (Lidar) system includes a light transmission component driven by a phase-keyed burst pattern generator operable to apply a phase-coded key for activating the light source in a series of on/off pulses for the transmitted TX light. The on/off sequence is chosen such that the pattern's auto-correlation function has a maximized peak to side lobe ratio. The on/off pulses of the received RX light reflected from the object or scene is converted to a bitstream that is cross-correlated with the phase-coded key. A peak detector finds the peak of the cross-correlation function and generate a time-of-flight signal indicative of the time between the transmission of the TX light and the peak of the cross-correlation function.

Abstract: A heater is provided to heat an optical window. The inner face of the optical window is partitioned by the shield plate into a first part for the phototransmitter and a second part for the photoreceiver, the first part for the phototransmitter being arranged to face the first space, the second part for the photoreceiver being arranged to face the second space. The heater includes a first film, a second film, two phototransmitter electrodes, and two photoreceiver electrodes. The first film is a transparent conductive film arranged to cover the first part for the phototransmitter. The second film is a transparent conductive film arranged to cover the second part for the photoreceiver. The two phototransmitter electrodes are configured to energize the first film. The two photoreceiver electrodes are configured to energize the second film.

Abstract: An electro-optical distance meter and a distance measuring method, wherein a distance to a target is measured based on runtime by means of radiation pulses, which are emitted at a pulse rate. Received radiation pulses are digitized by means of sampling, wherein the sampling rate is set in dependence on the pulse rate, wherein a digitized signal is generated on the basis of sampling over the reception signals of a plurality of received radiation pulses.

Abstract: A distance-measuring imaging device includes a light source that applies light according to timing of a light emission signal; a solid-state imager that performs, for an object, exposure according to timing of an exposure signal, and generates raw data corresponding to an exposure amount of the exposure; a signal amount comparator that determines a magnitude relationship in signal amount in the raw data; and a distance calculator that generates and outputs a distance signal based on a determination result. The solid-state imager accumulates, in each of different signal accumulation regions for accumulating signals detected in a same pixel, a signal by exposure in an exposure period that differs in exposure signal timing. The signal amount comparator determines the magnitude relationship between the signals accumulated in the signal accumulation regions. The distance calculator calculates the distance to the object using an arithmetic expression selected depending on the determination result.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. For example, a magnet to target spacing system configured for use with an apparatus for processing a substrate comprises a sensor configured to provide a signal corresponding to a distance between a front of a magnet and a back of a target while rotating the magnet with respect to the target and a magnet controller configured to control the distance between the front of the magnet and the back of the target based upon the signal provided by the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that include a monolithic, single-chip receiver. An example system includes a plurality of macropixels, each made up of an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). The system also includes a plurality of pipelined adders communicatively coupled to a respective portion of the plurality of macropixels. The system additionally includes a controller configured to carry out operations. The operations include during a listening period, receiving, at each pipelined adder of the plurality of pipelined adders, respective photosignals from the respective portion of the plurality of macropixels. The operations also include causing each pipelined adder of the plurality of pipelined adders to provide an output that includes a series of frames that provide an average number of SPADs of the respective portion of the plurality of macropixels that were triggered during a given listening period.

Abstract: A depth information acquisition system, a depth information acquisition method, a camera module, and an electronic device are provided. The depth information acquisition system includes a laser beam emission device, a laser beam reception device, a photoelectric sensing device and a processor, the laser beam reception device and the photoelectric sensing device are located on a laser beam transmission route of the laser beam emission device, and both the laser beam emission device and the photoelectric sensing device are electrically connected to the processor. The laser beam emission device includes at least two laser sources corresponding to different environment brightness values, the processor is configured to acquire depth information of a to-be-measured object based on a laser transmission time of a target laser source, and the target laser source is a laser source matching brightness value of an environment where the to-be-measured object is located.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a LIDAR system may include at least one processor configured to control at least one light source for projecting light toward a field of view and receive from at least one first sensor first signals associated with light projected by the at least one light source and reflected from an object in the field of view, wherein the light impinging on the at least one first sensor is in a form of a light spot having an outer boundary. The processor may further be configured to receive from at least one second sensor second signals associated with light noise, wherein the at least one second sensor is located outside the outer boundary; determine, based on the second signals received from the at least one second sensor, an indicator of a magnitude of the light noise; and determine, based on the indicator the first signals received from the at least one first sensor and, a distance to the object.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of determining a distance to an object based on at least first reflected light provided by a reflection of first pulsed light on the object and second reflected light provided by a reflection of a second pulsed light on the object has an input terminal to receive an electrical signal of intensity of reception light, and processing circuitry to specify, based on the electrical signal, a first duration from when the first pulsed light is emitted until when the first reflected light is received within a first measurement range, and determine, based on the first duration, a second measurement range of the second reflected light, specify, a second duration from when the second pulsed light is emitted until when the second reflected light is received within the second measurement range, and determine the distance from the electronic apparatus to the object.

Abstract: In an optical detection system, a reference waveform can be used for automated analysis of a received waveform. The reference waveform can be adjusted (e.g., distorted) using information about one or more of a receive channel configuration or other aspects of the receive channel signal, facilitating a more effective comparison between a received impulse and the reference waveform. Such a comparison can be used in a time-to-digital conversion (TDC) technique, such as to provide delay values that can then be used to determine a distance between the illuminated target and an optical transceiver. Other techniques can be used to enhance range accuracy or resolution, such as using automated techniques for control of one or more of receive channel gain, summing or averaging (aggregation of received signals), or bias compensation (e.g., DC balancing).

Abstract: Provided are a laser annealing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a substrate having a poly-Si layer using the laser annealing apparatus. The laser annealing apparatus includes a laser beam source that emits a linearly polarized laser beam, a polygon mirror that rotates around a rotation axis and reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser beam source, a first Kerr cell disposed on a laser beam path between the laser beam source and the polygon mirror, and a first optical element that directs the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror toward an amorphous Si layer where the laser beam is irradiated upon the amorphous Si layer.

Abstract: The methods and systems disclosed herein improve upon previous 3D imaging techniques by making use of a longer illumination pulse to obtain the same or nearly the same range resolution as can be achieved by using a much shorter, conventional laser pulse. For example, a longer illumination pulse can be produced by one or more Q-switched lasers that produce, for example, 5, 10, 20 ns or longer pulses. In some instances, the laser pulse can be longer than the modulation waveform of a MIS-type imaging system and still produce a repeatable response function. The light pulse generation technologies required to achieve longer pulse lengths can be significantly less expensive and less complex than known technologies presently used to generate shorter illumination pulse lengths. Lower-cost, lower-complexity light pulse sources may facilitate lower-cost, commercial 3D camera products.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for sensing the depth of an object by considering external light and a device implementing the same, and a method for sensing the depth of an object by considering external light according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the steps of: storing, in a storage unit, first depth information of an object, which is sensed at a first time point by a depth camera unit of a depth sensing module; storing, in the storage unit, second depth information of the object, which is sensed at a second time point by the depth camera unit; comparing, by a sensing data filtering unit of the depth sensing module, the generated first and second depth information to identify a filtering target region from the second depth information; and adjusting, by a control unit of the depth sensing module, the depth value of the region filtered from the second depth information.

Abstract: The disclosed system may include (1) a light source that emits light pulses into a field of view, (2) a light sensor array that captures light reflected from the field of view resulting from the light pulses, (3) a light control subsystem that (a) controls an emission timing of the light source and (b) controls a capture timing of the light sensor array relative to the emission timing of the light source, and (4) a depth measurement subsystem that generated depth measurements of at least some of the field of view based at least in part on output from the light sensor array, where operation of the light control subsystem is based at least in part on prior knowledge of the field of view. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A target detection system includes a receiving apparatus separated from a transmitting apparatus configured to transmit inspection light and reference light. The receiving apparatus includes a photodetector, a scattered light processor, and a target detector. The photodetector is configured to receive light and detect scattered light and the reference light from the received light. The scattered light is scattered in a transmission path of the inspection light. The target detector is configured to perform target position determination. The target position determination determines, as a position of a target, a position, on the transmission path, corresponding to a first-transition time. The first-transition time is a time at which intensity of the scattered light becomes equal to or smaller than a first transition. The target position determination is performed on the basis of a time difference between the first-transition time and a reception time of the reference light.

Abstract: An example optical transceiver system, such as a solid-state light detection and ranging (lidar) system, includes a tunable, optically reflective metasurface to selectively reflect incident optical radiation as transmit scan lines at transmit steering angles between a first steering angle and a second steering angle. In some embodiments, a feedback element, such as a volume Bragg grating element, may lock a laser to narrow the band of optical radiation. A receiver may include a tunable, optically reflective metasurface for receiver line-scanning or a two-dimensional array of detector elements forming a set of discrete receive scan lines. In embodiments incorporating a two-dimensional array of detector elements, receiver optics may direct optical radiation incident at each of a plurality of discrete receive steering angles to a unique subset of the discrete receive scan lines of detector elements.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system can emit light toward an environment and detect responsively reflected light to determine a distance to one or more points in the environment. The reflected light can be detected by a plurality of plurality of photodiodes that are reverse-biased using a high voltage. Signals from the plurality of reverse-biased photodiodes can be amplified by respective transistors and applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signal from a particular photodiode can be applied to the ADC by biasing a respective transistor corresponding to the particular photodiode while not biasing transistors corresponding to other photodiodes. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage applied to each photodiode using a digital-to-analog converter. The gain of each photodiode/transistor pair can be controlled based on the detected temperature of each photodiode.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for scanning sensing systems having an array of light sensing pixels, such as pixels that use single-photon avalanche diodes. Light pulses are emitted into a field of view (FOV) at starts of a sequence of time intervals, and a weighted tabulation of the times-of-flight of the reflected light pulses within each time interval is used to detect an object in the FOV and determine its distance. Each weight is based on the time-of-flight between the emitted pulse and the received reflected light pulse and on the number of the emitted light pulse in the sequence of emitted light pulses. For near objects the weights emphasize times-of-flight from peripheral time intervals of the sequence; for far objects the weights emphasize central time intervals of the sequence.

Abstract: A system mountable in a motor vehicle. The system includes a camera and a processor configured to receive image data from the camera. The camera includes a rolling shutter configured to capture the image data during a frame period and to scan and to read the image data into multiple image frames. A near infra-red illuminator may be configured to provide a near infra-red illumination cone in the field of view of the camera. The near infra-red illumination oscillates with an illumination period. A synchronization mechanism may be configured to synchronize the illumination period to the frame period of the rolling shutter. The frame period may be selected so that the synchronization mechanism provides a spatial profile of the near infra-red illumination cone which may be substantially aligned vertically to a specific region, e.g. near the center of the image frame.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) sensor device achieves high intrusion detection probability while keeping the probability of a false intrusion detection low by capturing a set of multiple spatial or temporal samples of a measured parameter for an object detected in the sensor's field of view. When an object is detected in the field of view, the TOF sensor device defines a window of N pixels comprising a subset of the pixels corresponding to the object, and obtains N distance measurements corresponding to the N pixels of the window. If the number of the N distance values that are less than a defined threshold distance is equal to or greater than a selected threshold value M (an integer less than N), the TOF sensor device determines that the object is intruding within a protective field and generates a suitable output.

Abstract: Method, and corresponding system, for iteratively distributing improved process parameters to a fleet of additive manufacturing machines. The method includes receiving sensor data from a sensor for a first machine of the fleet of machines. The method further includes comparing the sensor data values at the working tool positions of the plurality of layers to reference data values at the working tool positions for the plurality of layers to determine a set of comparison measures for the first machine. The method further includes selecting a machine from among the first machine and at least a second machine of the fleet of machines based at least in part on the comparison measures of each of the machines. The method further includes receiving, from the selected machine, process parameters of the selected machine; and transmitting at least part of the process parameters of the selected machine to other machines of the fleet.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to achieve highly accurate detection of obstacles even in adverse weather environments, particularly environments in which a scatter phenomenon caused by fog or the like occurs. A target signal processing unit 51 calculates a cross-correlation function between split reference light from a light source unit 201, and reflected light from a target T, said reflected light being obtained using split signal light from the light source unit 201. An estimation unit 52 estimates scattering characteristics of propagation paths of the signal light and the reflected light. A correction processing unit 53 executes, on the basis of the scattering characteristics estimated by the estimation unit 52, prescribed correction processing of the cross-correlation function calculated by the target signal processing unit 51.

Abstract: A time of flight sensor device is provided that is capable of generating accurate information relating to propagation time of emitted light pulses using a small number of measurements or data captures. By generating pulse time of flight information using a relatively small number of measurement cycles, object distance information can be generated more quickly, resulting in faster sensor response times. Embodiments of the time of flight sensor can also minimize or eliminate the adverse effects of ambient light on time of flight measurement. Moreover, some embodiments execute time of flight measurement techniques that can achieve high measurement precision even when using relatively long light pulses having irregular, non-rectangular shapes.

Abstract: A method of measuring the phase of a response signal relative to a periodic excitation signal, comprises the steps of producing for each cycle of the response signal two transitions synchronized to a clock and framing a reference point of the cycle; swapping the two transitions to confront them in turns to the cycles of the response signal; measuring the offsets of the confronted transitions relative to the respective reference points of the cycles; performing a delta-sigma modulation of the swapping rate of the two transitions based on the successive offsets; and producing a phase measurement based on the duty cycle of the swapping rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a time-of-flight sensor (22) including at least one time-of-flight pixel (23) for demodulating a received modulated light beam (Sp2), wherein the time-of-flight pixel (23) comprises at least two integrating nodes (Ga, Gb) and the integration nodes (Ga, Gb) are connected to a device (500) for charge compensation, wherein the charge compensation device (500) comprises at least two SBI input transistors (M1, M2) which at a potential (Ua, Ub) of the integration nodes (Ga, Gb) which according to the amount exceeds an SBI threshold value (USBI) drive SBI current transistors (M3, M4) such that at both integration nodes (Ga, Gb) a compensating current (ik) of the same level flows, wherein the source terminals of the SBI-current transistors (M3, M4) are not connected to a supply voltage (UDD) but are connected to a working voltage (URES, Uarb) (FIG. 7).

Abstract: A histogramming readout circuit is described. The readout circuit comprises a time to digital converter (TDC) configured to continually report time-stamps defining an arrival time of a laser clock and a signal output from a photosensor. Memory is provided for 10 storing TDC events. A programmable processor is configured to implement a state machine. The state machine being operable to save a time-stamp when a TDC event is detected; determine the time of flight of each of the photons detected by the photosensor; use each calculated time of flight to address a memory location; build up a histogram of the TDC data values using the memory locations as time-bins; and maintain a pointer to a maximum memory location where the highest number of TDC event resides. A calculator is operable to read the value of the maximum memory location and one or more adjacent time-bins either side for processing.

Abstract: A GmAPD-based LiDAR system and methods for developing a point-cloud image of a detection region are disclosed. The methods include scanning the detection region during a plurality of detection frames that defines an image frame. In each detection frame, the detection region is interrogated with a different one of a series of optical pulses and reflections of the optical pulse are detected at a GmAPD-based receiver that is gated such that a different sampling region within the detection region is selectively sampled in each detection frame. The sampling regions are defined such that longer-range areas of the detection region are sampled more times in the image frame than shorter-range areas of the detection region. As a result, objects throughout the entire detection region can be detected with high SNR.

Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide adjustable parameters for imaging devices and systems. Dynamic adjustments to one or more parameters of an imaging component may be performed based on changes to the relative velocity of the imaging component or to the proximity of an object to the imaging component.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention may relate to a rangefinder, in particular for a laser scanner, laser tracker, profiler, theodolite, or a total station. In a special embodiment of the invention, the light source of the rangefinder—provided for the emission of pulsed light signals—is configured here as an optical fiber amplifier (e.g. an EDFA, i.e. erbium-doped fiber amplifier) which is optically pumped by a superluminescent diode (SLD) operated in a pulsed manner.

Abstract: A system mountable in a motor vehicle. The system includes a camera and a processor configured to receive image data from the camera. The camera includes a rolling shutter configured to capture the image data during a frame period and to scan and to read the image data into multiple image frames. A near infra-red illuminator may be configured to provide a near infra-red illumination cone in the field of view of the camera. The near infra-red illumination oscillates with an illumination period. A synchronization mechanism may be configured to synchronize the illumination period to the frame period of the rolling shutter. The frame period may be selected so that the synchronization mechanism provides a spatial profile of the near infra-red illumination cone which may be substantially aligned vertically to a specific region, e.g. near the center of the image frame.

Abstract: A brake device includes: a battery connected to a power supply line; a fluid pressure unit driven by power from the supply line and applies fluid pressure to a brake; an alternator that receives power from a vehicle engine and generates power at a voltage higher than a charged voltage of the battery; a capacitor that stores the power generated by the alternator; and a DC/DC converter that converts the voltage of the capacitor to a predetermined value and supplies the converted voltage to the supply line. When the vehicle will potentially collide with a forward obstacle, an output of the DC/DC converter is set at a target higher than an output voltage in a normal state before brake actuation, or if output of the DC/DC converter cannot be set at the target voltage, the alternator is driven to connect a generation voltage of the alternator to the supply line.

Abstract: In embodiments, a T-O-F depth imaging device renders a depth image of an object that has corrected depth values. The device includes a pixel array that uses an Electronic Rolling Shutter scheme. The device also includes a light source that transmits towards the object light that is modulated at an operating frequency, and an optical shutter that opens and closes at the operating frequency. The optical shutter further modulates the light that is reflected from the object, before it reaches the pixel array. The transmission of the light and the operation of the shutter change phase relative to each other while at least one of the pixels is sensing the light it receives, which permits a faster frame rate. Depth is determined by the amount of light sensed by the pixels, and a correction is computed to compensate for the changing phase.

Abstract: A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.

Abstract: A method of measuring the phase of a response signal relative to a periodic excitation signal, comprises the steps of producing for each cycle of the response signal two transitions synchronized to a clock and framing a reference point of the cycle; swapping the two transitions to confront them in turns to the cycles of the response signal; measuring the offsets of the confronted transitions relative to the respective reference points of the cycles; performing a delta-sigma modulation of the swapping rate of the two transitions based on the successive offsets; and producing a phase measurement based on the duty cycle of the swapping rate.

Abstract: A system mountable in a motor vehicle. The system includes a camera and a processor configured to receive image data from the camera. The camera includes a rolling shutter configured to capture the image data during a frame period and to scan and to read the image data into multiple image frames. A near infra-red illuminator may be configured to provide a near infra-red illumination cone in the field of view of the camera. The near infra-red illumination oscillates with an illumination period. A synchronization mechanism may be configured to synchronize the illumination period to the frame period of the rolling shutter. The frame period may be selected so that the synchronization mechanism provides a spatial profile of the near infra-red illumination cone which may be substantially aligned vertically to a specific region, e.g. near the center of the image frame.

Abstract: A method using Long Wave Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for improved mapping and perception of a roadway or path and for perceiving or detecting obstacles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the roadway or area. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. Further, the vehicle may take evasive action based upon the presence of an object in the roadway.

Abstract: A camera includes a pulse transmitter for transmitting at a transmit time through an aperture and along an optical path to a target a coherent electromagnetic ranging pulse at a first wavelength range outside the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the camera includes a reflected pulse detector for receiving a reflected electromagnetic pulse reflected by the target back along the optical path and through the aperture at a detect time subsequent to the transmit time. In some embodiments, the camera includes a shutter positioned for shielding the pulse detector from at least transmit time to an intermediate time between the transmit time and the detect time. In some embodiments, the shutter includes a layer of semiconductor material placed in the optical path at a point between the target and the detector.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle driving environment recognition apparatus. When an onboard camera does not recognize a vehicle ahead during when a vehicle runs at night, an exposure amount of the onboard camera is set to a first exposure amount mode. When the vehicle ahead is not recognized, or only a light source of an oncoming vehicle is recognized, the exposure amount of the onboard camera is set to a second exposure amount mode. In the first exposure amount mode, a low-luminance detection exposure amount and a high-luminance detection exposure amount are alternately switched for each frame, and an image is captured with the switched exposure amount. In the second exposure amount mode, the exposure amount is fixed to the low-luminance detection exposure amount.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing images including an image capture device operably connected to a data processing device that captures an image of a target vehicle, and a processor-usable medium embodying computer code, said processor-usable medium being coupled to said data processing device, said computer program code comprising instructions executable by said processor. The instructions configured for identifying a region within the image including a window of the target vehicle, applying a first image enhancement effect to the identified region, applying a second image enhancement effect to a remainder of the image not including the identified region, the second image enhancement effect different than the first image enhancement effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical measuring device (1) having a housing (3), in which at least one optical emitter (20) for emitting at least one emission beam (22, 24) and at least one optical receiver are arranged, wherein a cover disc (5) terminates the housing and forms an emission window (10) and a reception window (7), wherein the at least one emission beam (22, 24) exits from the housing through the emission window (10), wherein the receiver receives the emission beam, which is reflected from the surroundings, as a reception beam through the reception window (7), and wherein the cover disc (5) has a heating assembly (20), and a corresponding method for producing a cover disc (5) for the optical measuring device (1).

Abstract: A system for making distance measurements of remote points using a phenomenon related to the time of flight of an illuminating beam. A modulated beam of light is directed at the target area. The modulated beam has temporally varying information impressed upon it, such that the time of flight of the beam to the target and back can be related to the temporal signature of the received beam. An acousto-optic modulator is used to perform frequency conversion of the modulated light reflected from points in the field, before that light impinges on the pixels of a detector array. The AO modulation frequency is close to the illuminating light modulation frequency, so that the converted mixed frequency falls within the limited parallel reading rate range of the detector array, and contains the temporal signature information of the modulated light received from the target within signals of manageable frequencies.

Abstract: Provided is a system for reducing damage by missiles to a vehicle, the system including: (a) a detector operable to detect a missile and to generate detection information indicative of a motion of the missile; (b) a processor, configured to analyze the detection information and to selectively trigger activation of a jetting system that is mounted on the vehicle in response to a result of the analysis; and (c) the jetting system, operable to jet a high pressure jet onto the missile.

Abstract: A system mountable in a motor vehicle. The system includes a camera and a processor configured to receive image data from the camera. The camera includes a rolling shutter configured to capture the image data during a frame period and to scan and to read the image data into multiple image frames. A near infra-red illuminator may be configured to provide a near infra-red illumination cone in the field of view of the camera. The near infrared illumination oscillates with an illumination period. A synchronization mechanism may be configured to synchronize the illumination period to the frame period of the rolling shutter. The frame period may be selected so that the synchronization mechanism provides a spatial profile of the near infra-red illumination cone which may be substantially aligned vertically to a specific region, e.g. near the center of the image frame.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a measurement circuit including a capacitance. The SPAD detects an incident photon and the measurement circuit discharges the capacitance at a known rate during a discharge time period. The length of the discharge time period is determined by the time of detection of the photon, such that the final amount of charge on the capacitance corresponds to the time of flight of the photon. The pixel circuit may be included in a time resolved imaging apparatus. A method of measuring the time of flight of a photon includes responding to an incident photon detection by discharging a capacitance at a known rate and correlating final capacitance charge to time of flight.

Abstract: An image processing device which performs a tracking control with respect to a moving object which is travelling forward, based on the controlled variable of the own vehicle includes, an image processing unit which specifies an area of a moving object from an input image, sets the specified area of the moving object as a reference image area after starting tracking control, and sets an area of the moving object after a predetermined time as a comparison image area; a comparison unit which compares the set reference image area and the comparison image area with each other, and calculates travelling information relating to the moving object; and a controlled variable calculation unit which calculates a controlled variable of the own vehicle from travelling information which is calculated in the comparison unit.

Abstract: A nonlinear dynamic system comprising: a number N of nonlinear components, wherein each nonlinear component experiences intrinsic oscillation when a coupling parameter ? is tuned past a threshold value, and wherein the nonlinear components are unidirectionally coupled together in a ring configuration; and a signal generator configured to generate N coherent locking signals; wherein each locking signal is phase shifted by 2?/N with respect to the other locking signals; and wherein the signal generator is coupled to the nonlinear components such that each locking signal locks a frequency of the intrinsic oscillation of one of the nonlinear components to a frequency of the locking signal.

Abstract: In the method for detecting precipitation using a radar sensor, the radar sensor emits a transmission signal, whose frequency is varied periodically in successive modulation ramps. Signals received by the radar sensor are analyzed to determine precipitation on the basis of two different criteria. In the method, a first criterion relates to signals which are received during a pass-through of a modulation ramp, and a second criterion relates to a comparison of signals which are received during a pass-through of at least two successive modulation ramps.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for a uni-fiber laser communications (lasercom) terminal are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes an oscillator to generate a first signal having a first wavelength, and a modulator to modulate the first signal. The apparatus further includes a circulator to circulate the first signal, and a bi-directional optical amplifier (optical amp) to amplify the first signal. Also, the apparatus includes an optical fiber, which is embedded in a ferrule, and an end of the ferrule is coated with a reflective coating. Additionally, the apparatus includes at least one lens, where the first signal is transmitted through and received through the optical fiber and at least one lens. Also, the apparatus includes an acquisition detector to detect the first signal. Further, the apparatus includes an actuator associated with the ferrule to nutate and translate the ferrule according to feedback from the acquisition detector regarding the first signal.

Abstract: A method for range finding of a target including: generating a first photon and a second photon identical to the first photon; transmitting the first photon towards the target and delaying the second photon by a time delay; receiving the first photon reflected from the target and the delayed second photon; interacting the reflected first photon and the delayed second photon to produce HOM interference; detecting photo-statistics at an output of the HOM interference; when the two photons are output at the same output port, repeating the above processes; when the reflected first single photon and the delayed second single photon are output at different output ports, changing the time delay and repeating the above processes; repeating the above processes for a number of times to arrive at a final estimate for a value of the time delay corresponding to the final estimate of the target range.