Abstract: A LIDAR system outputs a system output signal that includes light from an outbound LIDAR signal. The LIDAR system includes a chromatic disperser that receives the outbound LIDAR signal and is configured to cause chromatic dispersion of the outbound LIDAR signal. The LIDAR system includes a light source that generates wavelength channel signals that each carries one of multiple different wavelength channels. The outbound LIDAR carries one of the wavelength channels from one of the wavelength channel signals. The light source is operated so as to change the wavelength channel carried by the outbound LIDAR signal. The direction that the outbound LIDAR signal travels away from the chromatic disperser changes in response to the change in the wavelength channel carried by the outbound LIDAR signal. Additionally, the direction that the system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system changes in response to the change in the direction that the outbound LIDAR signal travels away from the chromatic disperser.

Abstract: The imaging system is configured to output a system output signal during multiple associated data periods. A pattern of a frequency of the system output signal as a function of time is repeated during each of the associated data periods. The LIDAR system includes a light-combiner that combines light that returns to the LIDAR system from the system output signal with light from a reference signal so as to generate beating signals that are each beating at a beat frequency. Each of the beat frequencies is associated with a different one of the data periods. The system also includes electronics that calculate averaged frequencies that are each an average of multiple different beat frequencies and each of the averaged frequencies is associated with a different one of the data periods. The electronics calculate LIDAR data from the average frequencies. The LIDAR data indicates a radial velocity and/or distance between the system and an object outside of the system.

Abstract: The optical system is configured to output a system output signal such that a frequency of the system output signal changes in a series of repeated cycles. Each of the cycles includes multiple data periods. The frequency of the system output signal changes at different rates during different data periods. The optical system includes a light-combining component that combines light that returns to the optical system from the system output signal with light from a reference signal so as to generate a beating signal beating at a beat frequency. The system includes electronics that generate frequency change data that indicates a beat frequency change over time. The electronics can apply edge detection criteria and/or outlier detection criteria to the frequency change data.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a switch configured to direct a switch signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides. The switch signal carries multiple different channels. The system also includes one more redirection components that receive multiple different channel output signals. Each of the channel output signals carries a different one of the channels. The one more redirection components are configured to redirect the channel output signals such that a direction that each of the channel output signals travels away from the one more redirection components changes in response to a change in the alternate waveguide which receives the switch signal.

Abstract: The LIDAR system includes a first transform component configured to perform a complex mathematical transform on first signals. The LIDAR system also includes a second transform component configured to perform a real mathematical transform on second signals. Electronics are configured to use an output of the first transform component in combination with an output of the second transformation component to generate LIDAR data. A signal level ratio obtained by using the first and the second signals is used to identify a material of an object for which the second signals were reflected signals corresponding to the first signals being incident on the object.

Abstract: An optical device has a semiconductor chip with a photonic circuit. The photonic circuit includes a waveguide with a first portion and a second portion. A cross sectional area of the second portion of the waveguide is larger than a cross sectional area of the first portion of the waveguide. The first portion of the waveguide is positioned over a device platform. The waveguide includes a taper that provides a transition between the first portion of the waveguide and the second portion of the waveguide. The taper is an inverted taper that extends below the first portion of the waveguide into the device platform. The second portion of the waveguide terminates at a facet. A recess extends into the chip. The recess has lateral sides. A first one of the lateral sides serving as the facet. A second one of the lateral sides is positioned such that light signals that exit the waveguide through the facet travel across the recess to be received at the second lateral side.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip with a utility waveguide configured to guide an outgoing LIDAR signal and an incoming LIDAR signal. The incoming LIDAR signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal after an object located outside of the LIDAR system reflects the light from the LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip also includes a polarizing-beam splitter configured to receive the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal and to separate the incoming LIDAR signal from the outgoing LIDAR signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source that outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal that includes multiple different channels. The LIDAR system also generate multiple composite light signals that each carries a signal couple and are each associated with a different one of the channels. A signal couple includes a reference signal and an associated comparative signal. The comparative signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The reference signals also include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but also exclude light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system. There is a frequency differential between a frequency of the reference signal and a frequency of the associated comparative signal. The frequency differential includes a contribution from a frequency offset that is induced by electronics.

Abstract: An optical system has a LIDAR chip that includes a switch configured to direct an outgoing LIDAR signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides. The system also includes a redirection component configured to receive the outgoing LIDAR signal from any one of the alternate waveguides. The redirection component is also configured to redirect the received outgoing LIDAR signal such that a direction that the outgoing LIDAR signal travels away from the redirection component changes in response to changes in the alternate waveguide to which the optical switch directs the outgoing LIDAR signal.

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 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 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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.