Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to LiDAR systems to focus on one or more regions of interests within a field of view.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for coaxial LiDAR scanning. The system includes a first light source configured to provide first light pulses. The system also includes one or more beam steering apparatuses optically coupled to the first light source. Each beam steering apparatus comprises a rotatable concave reflector and a light beam steering device disposed at least partially within the rotatable concave reflector. The combination of the light beam steering device and the rotatable concave reflector, when moving with respect to each other, steers the one or more first light pulses both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view; obtain one or more first returning light pulses, the one or more first returning light pulses being generated based on the steered first light pulses illuminating an object within the field-of-view, and redirects the one or more first returning light pulses.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for LiDAR scanning. The system includes a light source configured to generate one or more light beams; and a beam steering apparatus optically coupled to the light source. The beam steering apparatus includes a first rotatable mirror and a second rotatable mirror. The first rotatable mirror and the second rotatable mirror, when moving with respect to each other, are configured to: steer the one or more light beams both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view; redirect one or more returning light pulses generated based on the illumination of the object; and a receiving optical system configured to receive the redirected returning light pulses.

Abstract: A system for multimodal detection is provided. The system comprises a light collection and distribution device configured to perform at least one of collecting light signals from a field-of-view (FOV) and distributing the light signals to a plurality of detectors. The light signals have a plurality of wavelengths comprising at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength. The system further comprises a multimodal sensor comprising the plurality of detectors. The plurality of detectors comprises at least a light detector of a first type and a light detector of a second type. The light detector of the first type is configured to detect light signals having a first light characteristic. The light detector of the first type is configured to perform distance measuring based on light signals having the first wavelength. The light detector of the second type is configured to detect light signals having a second light characteristic.

Abstract: A Hybrid Detection and Ranging (HyDAR) system configured for detecting signals with multiple wavelengths is provided. The system comprises: a laser light source providing laser light signals; an aperture window; one or more steering mechanisms configured to perform: directing the laser light signals toward the aperture window, receiving first return light signals formed based on at least a portion of the laser light signals provided by the laser light source, and receiving second return light signals formed from light provided by one or more light sources external to the HyDAR system. The system further includes a multimodal sensor including a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor and an image sensor. The point cloud data and the image data are at least partially time-and-space synchronized at the hardware-level of the HyDAR system. The system further includes a controller configured to detect one or more degradation factors affecting the HyDAR system's performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for coaxial LiDAR scanning. The system includes a first light source configured to provide first light pulses. The system also includes one or more beam steering apparatuses optically coupled to the first light source. Each beam steering apparatus comprises a rotatable concave reflector and a light beam steering device disposed at least partially within the rotatable concave reflector. The combination of the light beam steering device and the rotatable concave reflector, when moving with respect to each other, steers the one or more first light pulses both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view; obtain one or more first returning light pulses, the one or more first returning light pulses being generated based on the steered first light pulses illuminating an object within the field-of-view, and redirects the one or more first returning light pulses.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for coaxial LiDAR scanning. The system includes a first light source configured to provide first light pulses. The system also includes one or more beam steering apparatuses optically coupled to the first light source. Each beam steering apparatus comprises a rotatable concave reflector and a light beam steering device disposed at least partially within the rotatable concave reflector. The combination of the light beam steering device and the rotatable concave reflector, when moving with respect to each other, steers the one or more first light pulses both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view; obtain one or more first returning light pulses, the one or more first returning light pulses being generated based on the steered first light pulses illuminating an object within the field-of-view, and redirects the one or more first returning light pulses.

Abstract: A system for multimodal detection is provided. The system comprises a light collection and distribution device configured to perform at least one of collecting light signals from a field-of-view (FOV) and distributing the light signals to a plurality of detectors. The light signals have a plurality of wavelengths comprising at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength. The system further comprises a multimodal sensor comprising the plurality of detectors. The plurality of detectors comprises at least a light detector of a first type and a light detector of a second type. The light detector of the first type is configured to detect light signals having a first light characteristic. The light detector of the first type is configured to perform distance measuring based on light signals having the first wavelength. The light detector of the second type is configured to detect light signals having a second light characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for LiDAR scanning. The system includes a light source configured to generate one or more light beams; and a beam steering apparatus optically coupled to the light source. The beam steering apparatus includes a first rotatable mirror and a second rotatable mirror. The first rotatable mirror and the second rotatable mirror, when moving with respect to each other, are configured to: steer the one or more light beams both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view; redirect one or more returning light pulses generated based on the illumination of the object; and a receiving optical system configured to receive the redirected returning light pulses.

Abstract: A compact LiDAR device is provided. The compact LiDAR device includes a first mirror disposed to receive one or more light beams and a polygon mirror optically coupled to the first mirror. The polygon mirror comprises a plurality of reflective facets. For at least two of the plurality of reflective facets, each reflective facet is arranged such that: a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge of the reflective facet correspond to a first line, a second line, and a third line; the first line and the second line intersect to form a first internal angle of a plane comprising the reflective facet; and the first line and the third line intersect to form a second internal angle of the plane comprising the reflective facet. The first internal angle is an acute angle; and the second internal angle is an obtuse angle.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to using LiDAR systems for steering consecutive light pulses using micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) to illuminate objects in a field of view. Embodiments discussed herein also refer to using a multiple lens array to process returned light pulses.

Abstract: A dual lens assembly positioned along an optical receive path within a LiDAR system is provided. The dual lens assembly is constructed to reduce a numerical aperture of a returned light pulse and reduce a walk-off error associated with one or more mirrors of the LiDAR system.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system comprises: a control system housing; a first LiDAR head housing separate and distinct from the control system housing; a light source within the control system housing, the light source configured to produce a first pulse signal; a light detector within the control system housing configured to detect a first return pulse signal associated with the pulse signal; a first pulse steering system within the first LiDAR head housing, the first pulse steering system configured to direct the first pulse signal in a first direction; a first fiber configured to carry the first pulse signal from the light source to the first pulse steering system; and a second fiber configured to carry a first returned pulse signal from the first LiDAR head housing to the light detector.

Abstract: A system for light ranging and detection (LiDAR) is disclosed herein. The system comprises a laser transmitter transmitting one or more channels of light pulses. A rotating polygon mirror having a plurality of reflective facets directs the one or more channels of light pulses from the laser transmitter through a transmission region at a top surface of the system toward an external field of view and receives reflected light from the external field of view illuminated by the one or more channels of light pulses. A receiver detects the reflected light from channels corresponding to the one or more channels of light pulses. The laser transmitter, the rotating polygon mirror, and the receiver are substantially coplanar on a plane parallel to the top surface.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to a relatively compact and energy efficient LiDAR system that uses a multi-plane mirror in its scanning system.

Abstract: A compact LiDAR device is provided. The compact LiDAR device includes a first mirror disposed to receive one or more light beams and a polygon mirror optically coupled to the first mirror. The polygon mirror comprises a plurality of reflective facets. For at least two of the plurality of reflective facets, each reflective facet is arranged such that: a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge of the reflective facet correspond to a first line, a second line, and a third line; the first line and the second line intersect to form a first internal angle of a plane comprising the reflective facet; and the first line and the third line intersect to form a second internal angle of the plane comprising the reflective facet. The first internal angle is an acute angle; and the second internal angle is an obtuse angle.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system includes a light source. The light source is configured to transmit a pulse of light. The LiDAR scanning system also includes a beam steering apparatus configured to steer the pulse of light in at least one of vertically and horizontally along an optical path. The beam steering apparatus is further configured to concurrently collect scattered light generated based on the light pulse illuminating an object in the optical path. The scattered light is coaxial or substantially coaxial with the optical path. The LiDAR scanning system further includes a light converging apparatus configured to direct the collected scattered light to a focal point. The LiDAR scanning system further includes a light detector, which is situated substantially at the focal point. In some embodiments, the light detector can include an array of detectors or detector elements.

Abstract: A dual lens assembly positioned along an optical receive path within a LiDAR system is provided. The dual lens assembly is constructed to reduce a numerical aperture of a returned light pulse and reduce a walk-off error associated with one or more mirrors of the LiDAR system.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to LiDAR systems and methods that monitor for fault conditions that could potentially result in unsafe operation of a laser. The systems and methods can monitor for faulty conditions involving a transmitter system and movement of mirrors in a scanning system. When a fault condition is monitored, a shutdown command is sent to the transmitter system to cease laser transmission. The timing by which the laser should cease transmission is critical in preventing unsafe laser exposure, and embodiments discussed herein enable fault detection and laser shutoff to comply with laser safety standards.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to a relatively compact and energy efficient LiDAR system that uses a multi-plane mirror in its scanning system.