Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for estimating target ranges, angles of arrival, and speed using optimization procedures. Target ranges are estimated by performing an optimization procedure to obtain a denoised signal, performing a correlation of a transmitted waveform and the denoised signal, and using a result of the correlation to determine an estimate of a distance between the sensor and at least one target. Target angles of arrival are estimated by determining ranges at which targets are located, and, for each range, constructing an array signal from samples of received echo signals, and using the array signal, performing another optimization procedure to estimate a respective angle of arrival for each target of the at least one target. Doppler shifts may also be estimated using another optimization procedure. Certain of the optimization procedures use atomic norm techniques.

Abstract: A hybrid LiDAR system may include a long-range LiDAR subsystem characterized by a first range and a first azimuth angular coverage, and a short-range LiDAR subsystem characterized by a second range and a second azimuth angular coverage, wherein the first range is greater than the second range, and the second azimuth angular coverage is greater than the first azimuth angular coverage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) LiDAR systems in which the fields of view of multiple illuminators (e.g., lasers) overlap and/or fields of view of multiple detectors (e.g., photodiodes) overlap. Some embodiments provide for illuminators that transmit substantially white pulse sequences that are substantially uncorrelated with each other so that they can be distinguished from one another when detected by a single detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for estimating target ranges, angles of arrival, and speed using optimization procedures. Target ranges are estimated by performing an optimization procedure to obtain a denoised signal, performing a correlation of a transmitted waveform and the denoised signal, and using a result of the correlation to determine an estimate of a distance between the sensor and at least one target. Target angles of arrival are estimated by determining ranges at which targets are located, and, for each range, constructing an array signal from samples of received echo signals, and using the array signal, performing another optimization procedure to estimate a respective angle of arrival for each target of the at least one target. Doppler shifts may also be estimated using another optimization procedure. Certain of the optimization procedures use atomic norm techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems and methods of using them. In some embodiments, a LiDAR system comprises an array of optical components and at least one processor coupled to it. The array comprises n1 illuminators configured to illuminate a point in space, and n2 detectors configured to observe the point in space, wherein n1×n2>2 and the illuminators and n2 detectors are situated in a non-collinear arrangement. The at least one processor is configured to determine a first time-of-flight set corresponding to a first location of the LiDAR system at a first time; determine a second time-of-flight set corresponding to a second location of the LiDAR system at a second time; and solve an optimization problem to estimate a position of the target, wherein the optimization problem minimizes a cost function that takes into account the first time-of-flight set and the second time-of-flight set.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems. In some embodiments, a LiDAR system comprises a plurality of N illuminators, each of the plurality of N illuminators configured to illuminate a respective one of a plurality of N illuminator fields-of-view (FOVs); a detector comprising at least one focusing component and at least one detector array, wherein the detector is configured to observe a detector FOV that overlaps at least a first illuminator FOV of the plurality of N illuminator FOVs; and at least one processor configured to cause a first illuminator of the plurality of N illuminators to emit an optical pulse to illuminate the first illuminator FOV, obtain a signal representing at least one reflected optical pulse detected by the detector, and determine a position of at least one target using the signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques relating to a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system that includes a first optical array including a first active area, a second optical array including a second active area, wherein the first active area and the second active area are separated by a distance, and at least one optical component configured to laterally-shift a virtual image corresponding to at least one of the first optical array or the second optical array, thereby reducing a gap in a field of view (FOV) of the LiDAR system. The at least one optical component may be reflective, refractive, diffractive, or a combination of reflective, refractive, and/or diffractive. The at least one optical component may include one or more prisms and/or one or more mirrors. The optical arrays can be emitter arrays (e.g., lasers) or detector arrays (e.g., photodiodes). The techniques described herein can be used to combine more than two optical arrays.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical systems (e.g., LiDAR systems) and methods with improved eye safety. In some embodiments, a system includes a first light emitter configured to illuminate a first field of view (FOV) using light emitted at a first wavelength and a second light emitter configured to illuminate a second FOV using light emitted at a second wavelength. The second FOV is wider than the first FOV, and the first FOV extends to a further distance from the system than the second FOV. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect reflections off of targets within the second FOV, and at least one processor configured to execute one or more machine executable instructions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for estimating target ranges, angles of arrival, and speed using optimization procedures. Target ranges are estimated by performing an optimization procedure to obtain a denoised signal, performing a correlation of a transmitted waveform and the denoised signal, and using a result of the correlation to determine an estimate of a distance between the sensor and at least one target. Target angles of arrival are estimated by determining ranges at which targets are located, and, for each range, constructing an array signal from samples of received echo signals, and using the array signal, performing another optimization procedure to estimate a respective angle of arrival for each target of the at least one target. Doppler shifts may also be estimated using another optimization procedure. Certain of the optimization procedures use atomic norm techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods that may be used for autonomous driving and/or in autonomous vehicles. Some embodiments use an integrated wide-aperture multi-band radar subsystem and leverage the unique propagation properties of multiple bands and/or multiple sensor technologies to significantly improve detection and understanding of the scenery and, in particular, to see around corners to identify non-line-of-sight targets. In some embodiments, at least one processor of the system is capable of jointly processing return (reflected) signals in multiple bands to provide high accuracy in a variety of conditions (e.g., weather). The disclosed radar subsystem can be used alone or in conjunction with another sensing technology, such as, for example, LiDAR and/or cameras.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for estimating target ranges, angles of arrival, and speed using optimization procedures. Target ranges are estimated by performing an optimization procedure to obtain a denoised signal, performing a correlation of a transmitted waveform and the denoised signal, and using a result of the correlation to determine an estimate of a distance between the sensor and at least one target. Target angles of arrival are estimated by determining ranges at which targets are located, and, for each range, constructing an array signal from samples of received echo signals, and using the array signal, performing another optimization procedure to estimate a respective angle of arrival for each target of the at least one target. Doppler shifts may also be estimated using another optimization procedure. Certain of the optimization procedures use atomic norm techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) LiDAR systems in which the fields of view of multiple illuminators (e.g., lasers) overlap and/or fields of view of multiple detectors (e.g., photodiodes) overlap. Some embodiments provide for illuminators that transmit substantially white pulse sequences that are substantially uncorrelated with each other so that they can be distinguished from one another when detected by a single detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) LiDAR systems in which the fields of view of multiple illuminators (e.g., lasers) overlap and/or fields of view of multiple detectors (e.g., photodiodes) overlap. Some embodiments provide for illuminators that transmit pulse sequences that are substantially white and substantially uncorrelated so that they can be distinguished from one another when detected by a single detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) LiDAR systems in which the fields of view of multiple illuminators (e.g., lasers) overlap and/or fields of view of multiple detectors (e.g., photodiodes) overlap. Some embodiments provide for illuminators that transmit pulse sequences that have substantially white autocorrelation and are substantially uncorrelated so that they can be distinguished from one another when detected by a single detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for estimating target ranges, angles of arrival, and speed using optimization procedures. Target ranges are estimated by performing an optimization procedure to obtain a denoised signal, performing a correlation of a transmitted waveform and the denoised signal, and using a result of the correlation to determine an estimate of a distance between the sensor and at least one target. Target angles of arrival are estimated by determining ranges at which targets are located, and, for each range, constructing an array signal from samples of received echo signals, and using the array signal, performing another optimization procedure to estimate a respective angle of arrival for each target of the at least one target. Doppler shifts may also be estimated using another optimization procedure. Certain of the optimization procedures use atomic norm techniques.