Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module for a vehicle can include a semiconductor integrated circuit with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a substrate, the MEMS comprising a micro-mirror assembly including a mirror and a gimbal structure. The gimbal can be configured concentrically around and coplanar with the mirror. When rotated, the gimbal drives the mirror to oscillate at or near a resonant frequency and is coupled to the mirror via mirror-gimbal connectors. A support structure can be coupled to a backside of the mirror and gimbal structures and can increase the stiffness of the mirror to help the mirror better resist dynamic deformation. To limit the added rotational moment of inertia, the support structure can be etched to form a matrix of cells (e.g., formed by a mesh of circumferential and radial ridges) such that up to approximately 90% of the support structure material forming the support structure is removed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). In an example, a receiver includes a beam reflecting unit comprising a plurality of digital micromirror devices (DMDs). The beam reflecting unit is configured to receive an input laser beam returned from an object being scanned by the LiDAR and reflect the input laser beam by at least one DMD selectively switched to an “ON” state at an operation angle to form an output laser beam towards a detector. The detector is configured to receive the output laser beam.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). In an example, a receiver includes an acousto-optical (AO) beam deflecting unit configured to receive an input laser beam and a controller configured to cause an acoustic signal to be applied to the AO beam deflecting unit to deflect the input laser beam for a deflection angle and form an output laser beam towards a beam sensor. The deflection angle between the input and the output laser beams is nonzero.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a method of scanning mirror assembly for an optical sensing system. The method may include bonding a first wafer that includes a handle to a second wafer that includes a scanning mirror layer and etching the first wafer to release the handle. The method may further include bonding a third wafer that includes an actuator layer to the second wafer, and etching the third wafer to form a first set of actuator features and a second set of actuator features from the actuator layer. The method may also include etching the second wafer to release the scanning mirror layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly. The micromachined mirror assembly includes a micro mirror configured to tilt around an axis and a first and a second torsion beam each having a first and a second end. The second end of the first torsion beam and the second end of the second torsion beam are mechanically coupled to the micro mirror along the axis. The micromachined mirror assembly also includes a first DC voltage applied to the first end of the first torsion beam and a second DC voltage, different from the first DC voltage, is applied to the first end of the second torsion beam.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a MEMS mirror for steering a LiDAR beam and for minimizing statically emitted light from a LiDAR system are disclosed. A LiDAR system includes a light source that emits a light beam directed at a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes a manipulable mirror that reflects the emitted light beam in a scanning pattern. The MEMS device also includes a substrate positioned adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the mirror. An attenuation layer is disposed on a top surface of the substrate and is configured to attenuate light reflected by the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for an optical sensing system steering optical beams with a wedge prism. An exemplary system may include a scanner configured to steer an emitted optical beam towards an object. The system may further include a wedge prism configured to receive an optical beam returned from the object and refract the returned optical beam towards the scanner. The scanner is further configured to steer the refracted optical beam to form a receiving optical beam in a direction non-parallel to the emitted optical beam.

Abstract: In one example, a method comprises: receiving, at a gateway of a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus on a vehicle and via at least one of a wireless interface or a wired interface of the vehicle, a plurality of messages targeted at electronic control units (ECU) on the CAN bus; generating one or more input vectors based on the plurality of messages; generating, using one or more machine learning models, an output vector based on each of the one or more input vectors, each input vector having the same number of elements as the corresponding output vector; generating one or more comparison results between each of the one or more input vectors and the corresponding output vector; and based on the one or more comparison results, performing one of: allowing the plurality of messages to enter the CAN bus or preventing the plurality of messages from entering the CAN bus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a mirror assembly for controlling optical directions in an optical sensing system. The mirror assembly may include a substrate and a micro mirror suspended over the substrate by at least one beam. The at least one beam may be mechanically coupled to the substrate. The mirror assembly may also include an actuator configured to tilt the micro mirror with respect to the substrate. The mirror assembly may further include a position sensor configured to detect a position of the micro mirror. Moreover, the mirror assembly may include a bias voltage source electrically coupled to the substrate to bias the substrate with a bias voltage.

Abstract: Technologies disclosed relate to a remote intervention system for the operation of a vehicle, which can be an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle that includes driver assist features, a vehicle used for ride sharing services or the like. The system includes a vehicle sending a request for remote intervention to a remote operator when the operation of the vehicle is suspended. The request for remote intervention can include a request for object identification or a request for decision confirmation. The vehicle can update vehicle operation based in part on vehicle-based sensor data and a response to the remote intervention request from the remote operator. The remote operator can be a human operator or an AI operator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the deterministic simulation of distributed systems, such as vehicle-based processing systems. A distributed system may be represented as a plurality of subsystems or “nodelets” executing with a single process of a computing device during a simulation. A simulated clock may be used during execution of the nodelets to mitigate the variability in timestamped data that may be caused by latency or jitter. In some embodiments, all timestamps generated during a given frame of work will be assigned the same time value, regardless of when within the frame the timestamps were generated. A task scheduler can update the value of the simulated clock as execution proceeds through different frames of work.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). In an example, a receiver includes a beam converging device and an EO beam deflecting unit. The beam converging device is configured to receive a laser beam from an object being scanned by the LiDAR and form an input laser beam. The EO beam deflecting unit is configured to generate a non-uniform medium having at least one of a refractive index gradient or a diffraction grating, receive the input laser beam such that the input laser beam impinges upon the non-uniform medium, and form an output laser beam towards a photosensor. An angle between the input and the output laser beams is nonzero.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a scanning mirror assembly for an optical sensing system. The scanning mirror assembly may include a scanning mirror formed in a first layer of the scanning mirror assembly. The scanning mirror assembly may also include a MEMS actuator formed in a second layer of the scanning mirror assembly, where the first layer is a predetermined distance above the second layer. The MEMS actuator may also include a plurality of stator actuator features and a plurality of rotatable actuator features formed from a same semiconductor layer during a fabrication process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly for controlling optical directions in an optical sensing system. The micromachined mirror assembly may include a micro mirror configured to direct an optical signal into a plurality of directions. The micromachined mirror assembly may also include at least one actuator coupled to the micro mirror and configured to drive the micro mirror to tilt around an axis. The micromachined mirror assembly may further include one or more objects attached to the micro mirror. The one or more objects may be asymmetrically disposed with respect to the axis to create an imbalanced state of the micro mirror when the micro mirror is not driven by the at least one actuator.

Abstract: A laser package is mounted on the printed circuit board. At least one thermal via extends through the printed circuit board, coupled to the laser package. A thermal bridge is coupled to the at least one thermal via on the bottom of the printed circuit board. A thermal paste connects the thermal bridge to a conductive ground plane on the bottom of the printed circuit board, and to a mechanical housing.

Abstract: Sensor information and map information may be obtained. The sensor information may characterize positions of objects in an environment of a sensor. The map information may characterize a road configuration in an environment of a vehicle. A sensor range configuration for the vehicle may be determined based on the road configuration in the environment of the vehicle. A portion of the sensor information may be processed for vehicle navigation based on the sensor range configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly. The micromachined mirror assembly includes a micro mirror configured to tilt around an axis and a first and a second torsion beam each having a first and a second end. The second end of the first torsion beam and the second end of the second torsion beam are mechanically coupled to the micro mirror along the axis. The micromachined mirror assembly also includes a first DC voltage applied to the first end of the first torsion beam and a second DC voltage, different from the first DC voltage, is applied to the first end of the second torsion beam.

Abstract: A method for data management for an autonomous vehicle may include transmitting a polling request to a first server to obtain a task. The task may be a remote task request, and the task may be associated with obtaining, from the autonomous vehicle, data related to one or more subjects via a mobile network. The method may also include receiving the task from the first server based on the polling request. The method may also include obtaining the data based on the task. The method may also include transmitting the data to a second server via the mobile network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) light modulator, an optical sensing system, and an optical sensing method. The optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit an optical signal toward an environment surrounding the optical sensing system, and a receiver configured to receive the optical signal returning from the environment. The receiver further includes the LCOS light modulator and a receiving lens. The LCOS light modulator is configured to spatially modulate a polarization of the optical signal in order to allow only a spatially-selected portion of the optical signal to pass through the LCOS light modulator at one time. The receiving lens is configured to focus the spatially-selected portion of the optical signal received from the LCOS light modulator on a photodetector of the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an emitter array for an optical sensing system. The emitter array may include a waveguide including a plurality of waveguide branches. The emitter array may also include a plurality of grating switches positioned along each of the plurality of waveguide branches and configured to selectively turn on or off the corresponding waveguide branch for transmitting light. In certain aspects, a grating switch may include an upper grating structure configured to couple to a waveguide branch when the grating switch is activated to allow the light to emit from the waveguide branch.