Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capture the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. The system may process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals separately to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system. The PIC may include at least one on-chip polarization rotator for converting a light signal of one polarization state to a light signal of another polarization state.

Abstract: A waveguide heater is configured to heat an optical waveguide. The heater includes multiple heating elements and has one or two conditions selected from a group consisting of a first condition and the second condition. The first condition is the heater including multiple interior connectors that are each included in an interior electrical pathway between a pair of the heating elements where the interior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the heating elements included in the pair. The second condition is multiple exterior connectors that are each included in an exterior electrical pathway between electronics and a first one of the heating elements where the exterior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the electronics and the first heating element. The electronics are configured to apply an electrical bias to the heater. In some instances, the heater in included in a wavelength tuner.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output light. A portion of the light is included in a LIDAR signal that travels a LIDAR path from the light source to an object located outside of the LIDAR system and from the object to a filter and from the filter to a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to convert optical signals that include the LIDAR signal to electrical signals. A portion of the light is also included in one or more misdirected signals. Each of the misdirected signals travels a different misdirected path from the light source to the filter. Each of the misdirected paths is a different path from the LIDAR path. The system also includes a filter being configured to filter out the LIDAR signal from the misdirected signals. The system also includes electronics that generate LIDAR data from the electrical signals.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip includes a waveguide array. A steering mechanism is configured to control a direction that a system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system. The system output signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal. A location that a comparative signal is incident on the waveguide array changes in response to the steering mechanism changing a direction that the system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system. The comparative signal includes light from the system output signal after the system output signal has been reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes at least one optical component configured to output a system output signal that travels away from the LIDAR system and can be reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes a control mechanism configured to control one or more process variables of the system output signal. The control mechanism uses an electrical process variable signal to control the process variable. The process variable signal has an in-phase component and a quadrature component.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has multiple optical components. At least one of the optical components is configured to output a LIDAR output signal that travels away from the LIDAR system and can be reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics configured to operate one or more of the optical components so as to tune the frequency of the LIDAR output signal without changing an amplitude of the LIDAR output signal.

Abstract: The imaging system includes a photonic circuit chip having multiple cores. Each of the cores includes an optical switch and multiple alternate waveguides. The optical switch in each core is configured to direct an outgoing light signal to any one of the alternate waveguides, the alternate waveguide to which the outgoing light signal is directed being an active waveguide. Each core outputs the outgoing LIDAR signal from the active waveguide while receiving an incoming LIDAR signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal, has exited from the imaging system, and has returned to the imaging system. Each core includes a signal splitter that receives the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal. The signal splitter extracts a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal that serves as a reference signal and at least a portion of the incoming LIDAR signal that serves as a comparative signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength. The system includes optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal. The LIDAR input signals each includes light that was reflected by an object located apart from the system and that was included also in one of the channels. The reference signals do not include light that was reflected by the object but include light from one of the channels. Each of the composite signals is generated such that the reference signal and the LIDAR input included in the composite signal includes light from the same channel.

Abstract: A LIDAR system concurrently outputs multiple LIDAR output signals that concurrently illuminate the same sample region in a field of view for a data period. The sample region is one of multiple sample regions included in the field of view. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that use the multiple LIDAR output signals to generate LIDAR data for the sample region. The LIDAR data includes a distance and/or a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object that reflects the LIDAR output signals.

Abstract: The imaging system has a photonic circuit chip that includes multiple cores that each includes a port through which an outgoing optical signal exits the photonic circuit chip. Each of the cores is configured such that the outgoing signal exits the photonic circuit chip traveling toward a location that is above or below the photonic circuit chip. Additionally, each of the cores is configured to combine light from one of the outgoing signals with a reference signal so as to generate a signal beating at a beat frequency. The imaging system also includes electronics that use the beat frequencies from the cores to calculate data that indicates a radial velocity and/or distance between the system and one or more objects located outside of the system.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has one or more light splitters and multiple light combiners. The LIDAR system also has multiple optical pathways through which light signals travel. The optical pathways include delay pathways that each extends from one of the one or more splitters to one of the light combiners. The optical pathways include expedited pathways that each extends from one of the splitters to one of the light combiners. Each of the light combiners has one of the delay pathways and one of the expedited pathways extending to the light combiner. The delay pathways and the expedited pathways are configured such that the delay pathway to each light combiner is longer than the expedited pathway to the same light combiner. Each of the delay pathways has a common portion and a separated portion. The common portion of each delay pathway is shared by the other delay pathways. In contrast, the separated portion of a delay pathways is not shared with the other delay pathways.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes one or more optical components that output multiple system output signals. The system also includes electronics that use light from the system output signals to generate LIDAR data. The LIDAR data indicates a distance and/or radial velocity between the LIDAR system and one or more object located outside of the LIDAR system. The electronics including a series processing component that processes electrical signals that are each generated from one of the system output signals. The series processing component processes the electrical signals generated from different system output signals in series.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a waveguide array configured to output a LIDAR output signal such that the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The system also includes electronics configured to tune a wavelength of the LIDAR output signal such that the direction that the LIDAR output signal travels away from the LIDAR chip changes in response to the tuning of the wavelength by the electronics.

Abstract: A LIDAR system is configured to output a system output signal and to receive a system return signal. The system return signal includes light that was included in the system output signal and that was reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. A time delay occurs between the light being output from the LIDAR system and returning to the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that use a portion of the system return signal that returns to the LIDAR system during a data window to generate LIDAR data that indicates a radial velocity and/or distance between the LIDAR system and the object. The electronics tune the duration of the data window in response to the amount of the time delay.

Abstract: A waveguide heater is configured to heat an optical waveguide. The heater includes multiple heating elements and has one or two conditions selected from a group consisting of a first condition and the second condition. The first condition is the heater including multiple interior connectors that are each included in an interior electrical pathway between a pair of the heating elements where the interior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the heating elements included in the pair. The second condition is multiple exterior connectors that are each included in an exterior electrical pathway between electronics and a first one of the heating elements where the exterior connectors are connected in parallel and provide electrical communication between the electronics and the first heating element. The electronics are configured to apply an electrical bias to the heater. In some instances, the heater in included in a wavelength tuner.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip and local electronics that receive signals from the LIDAR chip. The local electronics are configured to operate one or more components on the LIDAR chip such that the LIDAR chip transmits an optical data signal from the LIDAR chip such that optical data signal includes data generated from the signals received from the LIDAR chip.

Abstract: A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system has a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal with a wavelength between 1290 nm and 1310 nm. The LIDAR chip is also configured to receive a LIDAR input signal from off of the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR input signal including light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR chip is configured to generate a composite signal that includes light from a comparative light signal and light from a reference signal. The comparative signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal but the reference signal does not include light from the LIDAR output signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to high speed remote imaging systems, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems. Example embodiments describe systems that are configured to mitigate a walk-off effect that may limit a speed of operation of the imaging system. The walk-off effect may be characterized by a failure to steer returning signals to a designated input facet of the imaging system due to continuous rotation of mirrors associated with the steering mechanisms. The walk-off effect may be mitigating by configuring more than one input waveguide to receiving returning signals associated with an output signal. The input waveguides may be spaced apart and configured to sequentially receive the input signals. In some embodiments, walk-off mitigation may extend a range of operation of the imaging systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of laser signals and/or incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capturing the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. In some instances, the laser signal may be converted into two different polarization states. The system may individually process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals along with the corresponding polarization state of the laser reference signal to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system.

Abstract: The LIDAR system is encodes a system output signal with a binary code. Additionally, the LIDAR system identifies an amount of time between the binary code being transmitted from the LIDAR system and returning to the LIDAR system after being reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system.