Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for landmark-based localization of an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) are described herein. Implementations can generate a first predicted location of a landmark based on a pose instance of a pose of the AV and a stored location of the landmark, generate a second predicted location of the landmark relative to the AV based on an instance of LIDAR data, generate a correction instance based on the comparing, and use the correction instance in generating additional pose instance(s). Systems and methods for validating localization of a vehicle are also described herein. Implementations can obtain driving data from a past episode of locomotion of the vehicle, generate a pose-based predicted location of a landmark in an environment of the vehicle, and compare the pose-based predicted location to a stored location of the landmark in the environment of the vehicle to validate a pose instance of a pose of the vehicle.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, includes a laser source configured to generate light signals, a transceiver, and a fiber array coupled to the transceiver and including a plurality of output channels. The transceiver is configured to receive one or more light signals from the laser source through a first group of output channels of the fiber array, receive one or more local oscillator (LO) signals through a second group of output channels of the fiber array, transmit the one or more light signals into an environment of the vehicle, receive a first returned light reflected from one or more objects in the environment, and output the first returned light and a first LO signal of the one or more LO signals.

Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a transceiver, a laser source coupled to the transceiver, a time-division multiplexing (TDM) circuit, and one or more processors. The TDM circuit is configured to generate a plurality of first signals. The one or more processors are configured to control the laser source to provide an optical beam to a first input optical channel of a plurality of input optical channels of the transceiver during a first time slot, based on the optical beam provided to the first input optical channel, control the transceiver to send a first reflected beam and a second reflected beam to the TDM circuit through a first output optical channel of a plurality of output optical channels of the transceiver, and based on a control signal provided to the TDM circuit, control the TDM circuit to select the plurality of first signals during the first time slot.

Abstract: In some implementations, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser source configured to provide an optical signal at a first signal power, an amplifier having a plurality of gain levels, at which the amplifier is configured to amplify the optical signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, based on the first signal power and a duty cycle of the optical signal, vary a gain level of the amplifier from the plurality of gain levels to generate a pulse signal, transmit the pulse signal from the amplifier to an environment, receive a reflected signal that is reflected from an object, responsive to transmitting the pulse signal, and determine a range to the object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more components that include at least one of an electrical circuit, an electro-optical component, or an optical component. The one or more components are configured to receive an optical beam generated by a laser source, split the optical beam into a plurality of optical beams, transmit the plurality of optical beams through a first subset of optical paths. The one or more components are configured to in response to transmitting the plurality of optical beams, receive a reflected beam through a second subset of the optical paths, generate a first output signal based on a first local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam, and generate a second output signal based on a second local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a coherent signal generator comprising an amplifier configured to receive a plurality of optical signals that are respectively associated with a plurality of phases, and generate a plurality of amplified optical signals using the plurality of optical signals; and a splitter network that is coupled to the amplifier. The splitter network is configured to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals, and generate a combined optical signal at an output of a plurality of outputs using the plurality of amplified optical signals.

Abstract: A system and method for pulsed-wave LIDAR to support the operation of a vehicle. In some implementations, the system and method include modulating an optical signal to generate a modulated optical signal; selecting a plurality of pulses from the modulated optical signal to generate a pulsed envelope signal; transmitting the pulsed envelope signal via one or more optical elements; receiving a reflected signal responsive to transmitting the pulsed envelope signal; and determining a range to an object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first track associated with a first time. A first track associated with a first time is obtained. First predicted state data associated with a second time that is later than the first time, are generated based on the first track. Radar measurement data associated with the second time are obtained from one or more radar sensors. Track data are generated by a machine learning model based on the first predicted state data and the radar measurement data. Second predicted state data associated with the second time are generated based on the first track. A second track associated with the second time is generated based on the track data and the second predicted state data. The second track associated with the second time is provided to an autonomous vehicle control system for autonomous control of a vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on a ratio of reflectivity between the first polarized signal and the second polarized signal.

Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.

Abstract: Implementations set forth herein relate to a camera calibration system for generating various types of calibration data by maneuvering a camera through a variety of different calibration test systems. The calibration data generated by the camera calibration system can be transmitted to the camera, which can locally store the calibration data. The calibration data can include spatial frequency response value data, which can be generated according to a spatial frequency response test that is performed by the camera calibration system. The calibration data can also include field of view values and distortion values that are generated according to a distortion test that is also performed by the camera calibration system. The camera calibration system can maneuver the camera through a variety of different calibration tests, as well as transmit any resulting calibration data to the camera for storage.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source configured to output a first beam and a polygon scanner. The polygon scanner includes a plurality of facets. Each facet of the plurality of facets is configured to transmit a second beam responsive to the first beam. The plurality of facets include a first facet having a first field of view over which the first facet transmits the second beam and a second facet having a second field of view over which the second facet transmits the second beam. The first field of view is greater than the second field of view.

Abstract: Determining yaw parameter(s) (e.g., at least one yaw rate) of an additional vehicle that is in addition to a vehicle being autonomously controlled, and adapting autonomous control of the vehicle based on the determined yaw parameter(s) of the additional vehicle. For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be adapted based on a determined yaw rate of the additional vehicle. In many implementations, the yaw parameter(s) of the additional vehicle are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.

Abstract: A downwardly-directed optical array sensor may be used in an autonomous vehicle to enable a velocity (e.g., an overall velocity having a direction and magnitude, or a velocity in a particular direction, e.g., along a longitudinal or lateral axis of a vehicle) to be determined based upon images of a ground or driving surface captured from multiple downwardly-directed optical sensors having different respective fields of view.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle uses a secondary vehicle control system to supplement a primary vehicle control system to perform a controlled stop if an adverse event is detected in the primary vehicle control system. The secondary vehicle control system may use a redundant lateral velocity determined by a different sensor from that used by the primary vehicle control system to determine lateral velocity for use in controlling the autonomous vehicle to perform the controlled stop.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first track associated with a first time. A first track associated with a first time is obtained. First predicted state data associated with a second time that is later than the first time, are generated based on the first track. Radar measurement data associated with the second time are obtained from one or more radar sensors. Track data are generated by a machine learning model based on the first predicted state data and the radar measurement data. Second predicted state data associated with the second time are generated based on the first track. A second track associated with the second time is generated based on the track data and the second predicted state data. The second track associated with the second time is provided to an autonomous vehicle control system for autonomous control of a vehicle.