Abstract: A LiDAR sensor includes a first lens, a first laser source configured to emit a plurality of first light pulses to be collimated by the first lens, a flood illumination source configured to emit a plurality of second light pulses as diverging light rays, a second lens configured to receive and focus (i) a portion of any one of the plurality of first light pulses and (ii) a portion of any one of the plurality of second light pulses that are reflected off of the one or more objects, a detector configured to detect (i) the portion of any one of the plurality of first light pulses and (ii) the portion of any one of the plurality of second light pulses, and a processor configured to construct a three-dimensional image of the one or more objects based on the detected portions of first light pulses and second light pulses.

Abstract: An oscillating mirror for lidar has a mirror coupled with a rotor. The rotor is arranged to rotate about a pivot using one or more bearings. A mirror is coupled with the rotor and arranged to reflect light emitted from a laser. A first magnet is coupled with the rotor. A second magnet is coupled with a base. The second magnet is arranged to limit an angular rotation of the rotor by a pole of the second magnet facing a similar pole of the first magnet.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a LiDAR sensor mounted on a vehicle includes storing a reference three-dimensional image acquired by the LiDAR sensor while the LiDAR sensor is in an expected alignment with respect to the vehicle. The reference three-dimensional image includes a first image of a fixed feature on the vehicle. The method further includes, acquiring, using the LiDAR sensor, a three-dimensional image including a second image of the fixed feature, and determining a deviation from the expected alignment of the LiDAR sensor with respect to the vehicle by comparing the second image of the fixed feature in the three-dimensional image to the first image of the fixed feature in the reference three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An electro-optical component, such as a laser or detector, on a module is aligned with a base, or lens system, for an optical sensor, such as a lidar sensor. Translating stages, or a robotic arm, can be used to rotate and translate the module into position. Two or more cameras can be used for ascertaining precise alignment of the electro-optical component.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.

Abstract: A scanning lidar has an illumination source comprising a plurality of lasers and a mirror system. The mirror system reflects light from the illumination source into an environment within a field of view. The mirror system includes a mirror arranged to rotate to reflect light from the illumination source to scan light from the plurality of lasers horizontally within the field of view of the system. The mirror system reflects light from the illumination source to position light, in discrete vertical steps, from the plurality of lasers vertically within the field of view.

Abstract: A scanning lidar system includes a first lens having a first lens center and characterized by a first optical axis and a first surface of best focus, a second lens having a second lens center and characterized by a second optical axis, a platform separated from the first lens and the second lens along the first optical axis, and an array of laser sources mounted on the platform. Each laser source of the array of laser sources has an emission surface lying substantially at the first surface of best focus of the first lens and positioned at a respective laser position. The scanning lidar system further includes an array of photodetectors mounted on the platform. Each photodetector of the array of photodetectors is positioned at a respective photodetector position that is optically conjugate with a respective laser position of a corresponding laser source.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a LiDAR sensor mounted on a vehicle includes positioning the vehicle at a distance from a target including a planar mirror and features surrounding the mirror. The vehicle is positioned and oriented relative to the mirror so that an optical axis of the LiDAR sensor is nominally parallel to the optical axis of the mirror, and the target is nominally centered at a field of view of the LiDAR sensor. The method further includes acquiring, using the LiDAR sensor, a three-dimensional image of the target including images of the features of the target and a mirror image of the vehicle formed by the mirror. The method further includes determining a deviation from an expected alignment of the LiDAR sensor with respect to the vehicle by analyzing the images of the features and the mirror image of the vehicle in the three-dimensional image of the target.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional imaging includes scanning a LiDAR system in a first direction with a first frequency and in a second direction with a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, so that a laser beam emitted by each laser source of the LiDAR system follows a Lissajous pattern. The method further includes emitting, using each laser source, a plurality of laser pulses as the LiDAR system is scanned in the first direction and the second direction; detecting, using each detector of the LiDAR system, a portion of each laser pulse of the plurality of laser pulses reflected off of one or more objects; determining, using a processor, a time of flight for each respective laser pulse from emission to detection; and acquiring a point cloud of the one or more objects based on the times of flight of the plurality of laser pulses.

Abstract: In a multi-source LiDAR, light from a first illumination source is reflected by rotating mirror into a first field of view, and light from a second illumination source is reflected by the rotating mirror into a second field of view. The second field of view can be arranged to partially overlap the first field of view to provide higher resolution in a region of interest.

Abstract: A rotating mirror for LiDAR has a first side and a second side of unequal width. As the rotating mirror spins, light from an illumination source scans different widths of a field of view. By scanning different widths of a field of view, higher resolution can be arranged in a region of interest.

Abstract: A scanning LiDAR system includes a base frame, an optoelectronic assembly, and a lens assembly. The optoelectronic assembly includes one or more laser sources and one or more photodetectors, and is fixedly attached to the base frame. The lens assembly includes one or more lenses. The one or more lenses have a focal plane. The scanning LiDAR system further includes a first flexure assembly flexibly coupling the lens assembly to the base frame. The first flexure assembly is configured such that the one or more laser sources and the one or more photodetectors are positioned substantially at the focal plane of the one or more lenses. The first flexure assembly is further configured to be flexed so as to scan the lens assembly laterally in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the emission lens.

Abstract: A system for detecting road debris using LiDAR includes an illumination module and a detection module. The illumination module and the detection module are arranged on a vehicle. The illumination module in contained in a first housing, and the detection module is contained in a second housing. The first housing is separated from the second housing so that the detection module is offset from the illumination module.

Abstract: Rotational, reciprocal scanning is used in a scanning LiDAR system. A laser is mounted to a platform. A first bar and a second bar couple the platform with a pivot mount. The pivot mount is coupled with a base. The platform is arranged to rotate about the pivot mount in an arc while the laser transmits light pulses into an environment.

Abstract: A folded flexure is used for in a scanning LiDAR system. An optical component is mounted on a platform. The platform has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A flexure couples the platform to a base. The base is closer to the second side than the first side. The flexure extends forward of the first side to a fold in the flexure, and the flexure extends backward from the fold toward the base.

Abstract: A double-sided flexure is used in a scanning LiDAR system. The scanning LiDAR system includes a base and a platform. The platform has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. An optical component is mounted on the platform. A first flexure extends from a first mounting location to the platform. The first flexure is fixedly coupled with the base at the first mounting location. The first mounting location is closer to the first side of the platform than the second side. Aa second flexure extends from a second mounting location to the platform. The second flexure is fixedly coupled with the base at the second mounting location, and the second mounting location is closer to the second side of the platform than the first side.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a first optical lens, and one or more first optoelectronic packages spaced apart from the first optical lens along the optical axis of the first optical lens. Each respective first optoelectronic package includes a first plurality of optoelectronic components positioned on the respective first optoelectronic package such that a surface of each respective optoelectronic component lies substantially on the first surface of best focus. The LiDAR system further includes a second optical lens, and one or more second optoelectronic packages spaced apart from the second optical lens along the optical axis of the second optical lens. Each respective second optoelectronic package includes a second plurality of optoelectronic components positioned on the respective second optoelectronic package such that a surface of each respective optoelectronic component lies substantially on the second surface of best focus.

Abstract: A lidar system includes a laser source, an emission lens configured to collimate and direct a laser beam emitted by the laser source, a receiving lens configured to receive and focus a return laser beam reflected off of one or more objects to a return beam spot at a focal plane of the receiving lens, and a detector including a plurality of photo sensors arranged as an array at the focal plane of the receiving lens. Each photo sensor has a respective sensing area and is configured to receive and detect a respective portion of the return laser beam. The lidar system further includes a processor configured to determine a respective time of flight for each respective portion of the return laser beam, and construct a three-dimensional image of the one or more objects based on the respective time of flight for each respective portion of the return laser beam.

Abstract: An optical system includes a laser source having an emission area that has a first width in a first direction and a first height in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first width being greater than the first height. The optical system further includes a cylindrical lens having a negative power and positioned in front of the laser source. The cylindrical lens is oriented such that a power axis of the cylindrical lens is along the first direction. The cylindrical lens is configured to transform the emission area of a laser beam emitted by the laser source into a virtual emission area having a virtual width and a virtual height, where the virtual width is less than the first width. The optical system further includes an rotationally symmetric lens positioned downstream from the cylindrical lens and configured to collimate and direct the laser beam towards a far-field.