Abstract: A lidar-based apparatus and method are used for the solid state steering of laser beams using Photonic Integrated Circuits. Integrated optic design and fabrication micro- and nanotechnologies are used for the production of chip-scale optical splitters that distribute an optical signal from a laser essentially uniformly to an array of pixels, said pixels comprising tunable optical delay lines and optical antennas. Said antennas achieve out-of-plane coupling of light. As the delay lines of said antenna-containing pixels in said array are tuned, each antenna emits light of a specific phase to form a desired far-field radiation pattern through interference of these emissions. Said array serves the function of solid state optical phased array.

Abstract: An apparatus has a beam steerable laser emitter and a detector array with array elements. Electronics selectively enable first array elements corresponding to expected return signal paths and disable second array elements corresponding to unexpected return signal paths.

Abstract: An apparatus has N optical structures positioned on a two-dimensional lattice defining a plane. The N optical structures are configured to redirect light out of the plane. The N optical structures are collectively arranged in a configuration that includes select elements on the two-dimensional lattice. N optical waveguides are integrated in the plane to individually supply optical power to each of the N optical structures.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first emitter emitting at a first frequency optical pulses that form a first pulse collection. A second emitter emits at a second frequency optical pulses that form a second pulse collection. A first receiver collects during a time of flight time window a first reflected pulse collection corresponding to the first pulse collection reflected from a sensed object. A second receiver collects during the time of flight time window a second reflected pulse collection corresponding to the second pulse collection reflected from the sensed object. A processor analyzes the first reflected pulse collection and the second reflected pulse collection to produce first reflected pulse collection metrics and second reflected pulse collection metrics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used for three-dimensional sensing with a time-of-flight lidar sensor having a single emitter sensing in one dimension, at least one photodetector, and a mechanical means of scanning in two dimensions said emitter and at least one photodetector. The external case of the lidar is preferably static, and only internal components involve mechanical motion. In a preferred embodiment of said lidar when operated in the infrared, said external static case has a window that is visually opaque and essentially transparent to infrared radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus has a beam steerable laser emitter and a detector array with array elements. Electronics selectively enable first array elements corresponding to expected return signal paths and disable second array elements corresponding to unexpected return signal paths.

Abstract: A plurality of one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chips form a two-dimensional-scanning solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of three-dimensional mapping time-of-flight lidars at high yield and low cost resulting from the simplicity of said one-dimensional optical phased array chips.

Abstract: A lidar-based apparatus and method are used for the solid state steering of laser beams using Photonic Integrated Circuits. Integrated optic design and fabrication micro- and nanotechnologies are used for the production of chip-scale optical splitters that distribute an optical signal from a laser essentially uniformly to an array of pixels, said pixels comprising tunable optical delay lines and optical antennas. Said antennas achieve out-of-plane coupling of light. As the delay lines of said antenna-containing pixels in said array are tuned, each antenna emits light of a specific phase to form a desired far-field radiation pattern through interference of these emissions. Said array serves the function of solid state optical phased array.

Abstract: A lidar-based system and method are used for the solid state beamforming and steering of laser beams using optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and the detection of laser beams using photodetectors. Transmitter and receiver electronics, power management electronics, control electronics, data conversion electronics and processing electronics are also included in the system and used in the method. Laser pulses beamformed by the OPA PIC reflect from objects in the field of view (FOV) of said OPA, and are detected by a detector or a set of detectors. A lidar system includes at least one lidar, and any subset and any number of complementary sensors, data processing/communication/storage modules, and a balance of system for supplying power, protecting, connecting, and mounting the components of said system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used for three-dimensional sensing with a time-of-flight lidar sensor having a single emitter sensing in one dimension, at least one photodetector, and a mechanical means of scanning in two dimensions said emitter and at least one photodetector. The external case of the lidar is preferably static, and only internal components involve mechanical motion. In a preferred embodiment of said lidar when operated in the infrared, said external static case has a window that is visually opaque and essentially transparent to infrared radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first emitter emitting at a first frequency optical pulses that form a first pulse collection. A second emitter emits at a second frequency optical pulses that form a second pulse collection. A first receiver collects during a time of flight time window a first reflected pulse collection corresponding to the first pulse collection reflected from a sensed object. A second receiver collects during the time of flight time window a second reflected pulse collection corresponding to the second pulse collection reflected from the sensed object. A processor analyzes the first reflected pulse collection and the second reflected pulse collection to produce first reflected pulse collection metrics and second reflected pulse collection metrics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used for three-dimensional sensing with a time-of-flight lidar sensor having a single emitter sensing in one dimension, at least one photodetector, and a mechanical means of scanning in two dimensions said emitter and at least one photodetector. The external case of the lidar is preferably static, and only internal components involve mechanical motion. In a preferred embodiment of said lidar when operated in the infrared, said external static case has a window that is visually opaque and essentially transparent to infrared radiation.

Abstract: A plurality of one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chips form a two-dimensional-scanning solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of three-dimensional mapping time-of-flight lidars at high yield and low cost resulting from the simplicity of said one-dimensional optical phased array chips.

Abstract: A one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chip is a simple building block of a two-dimensional beam forming and steering solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of said lidars at high yield and low cost through the use of a plurality of said chips. Innovative photonic integrated circuit chip architectures that follow design for manufacturing rules enable said building blocks.

Abstract: A one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chip is a simple building block of a two-dimensional beam forming and steering solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of said lidars at high yield and low cost through the use of a plurality of said chips. Innovative photonic integrated circuit chip architectures that follow design for manufacturing rules enable said building blocks.

Abstract: A plurality of one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chips form a two-dimensional-scanning solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of three-dimensional mapping time-of-flight lidars at high yield and low cost resulting from the simplicity of said one-dimensional optical phased array chips.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used for three-dimensional sensing with a time-of-flight lidar sensor having a single emitter sensing in one dimension, at least one photodetector, and a mechanical means of scanning in two dimensions said emitter and at least one photodetector. The external case of the lidar is preferably static, and only internal components involve mechanical motion. In a preferred embodiment of said lidar when operated in the infrared, said external static case has a window that is visually opaque and essentially transparent to infrared radiation.

Abstract: A one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chip is a simple building block of a two-dimensional beam forming and steering solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of said lidars at high yield and low cost through the use of a plurality of said chips. Innovative photonic integrated circuit chip architectures that follow design for manufacturing rules enable said building blocks.

Abstract: A lidar-based system and method are used for the solid state beamforming and steering of laser beams using optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and the detection of laser beams using photodetectors. Transmitter and receiver electronics, power management electronics, control electronics, data conversion electronics and processing electronics are also included in the system and used in the method. Laser pulses beamformed by the OPA PIC reflect from objects in the field of view (FOV) of said OPA, and are detected by a detector or a set of detectors. A lidar system includes at least one lidar, and any subset and any number of complementary sensors, data processing/communication/storage modules, and a balance of system for supplying power, protecting, connecting, and mounting the components of said system.

Abstract: A plurality of one-dimensional planar beam forming and steering optical phased array chips form a two-dimensional-scanning solid-state lidar, enabling manufacturing of three-dimensional mapping time-of-flight lidars at high yield and low cost resulting from the simplicity of said one-dimensional optical phased array chips.