Abstract: Described are a device for determining a distance to an object, having a transmitting device for emitting signals, a receiving device for receiving signals and for generating detection signals, an evaluating device for evaluating the detection signals of the receiving device, and a control device for controlling the evaluation of the detection signals, and a corresponding method. The receiving device has a plurality of receiving elements which generate, in case they receive a signal, a detection signal each. The evaluating device determines the distance to the object in accordance with the time-of-flight method and while considering coincidence events and uses that case in which a number of detection signals generated within a presettable coincidence time at least equals a presettable coincidence depth, as a coincidence events.

Abstract: A time of flight imaging apparatus includes a plurality of sensor pixels configured to receive an external light signal modulated with an external modulation frequency. The time of flight imaging apparatus further includes pixel circuitry configured to generate a sensor pixels output signal based on the external light signal and a reference signal having a reference frequency. The sensor pixels output signal has a frequency depending on a difference between the external modulation frequency and the reference frequency. The time of flight imaging apparatus further includes synchronization circuitry configured to adjust the reference frequency of the reference signal based on the sensor pixels output signal.

Abstract: A lidar system includes a photonic chip including a light source and a transmit beam coupler to provide an output signal for transmission. The output signal is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal. A transmit beam steering device transmits the output signal from the transmit beam coupler of the photonic chip. A receive beam steering device obtains a reflection of the output signal by a target and provides the reflection as a received signal to a receive beam coupler of the photonic chip. The photonic chip, the transmit beam steering device, and the receive beam steering device are heterogeneously integrated into an optical engine.

Abstract: Described are LiDAR systems including an apparatus configured to translate one or more spherical lenses, an array of light sources, an array of photodetectors, or any combination thereof of a collection optical system in the Z direction (optical axis) to move the image plane of the collection optical system and match the image size between a transmission optical system and the collection optical system.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of autonomous underwater seismic vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed based on acoustic communications with an underwater vehicle, such as a remotely operated vehicle. In an embodiment, the underwater vehicle is lowered from a surface vessel along with a subsea station with a plurality of AUVs. The AUVs are configured to acoustically communicate with the underwater vehicle or a second surface vessel for deployment and retrieval operations. The underwater vehicle and/or second surface vessel is configured to instruct the AUVs to leave the subsea station or underwater vehicle and to travel to their intended seabed destination. The underwater vehicle and/or second surface vessel is also configured to selectively instruct the AUVs to leave the seabed and return to a seabed location and/or a subsea station for retrieval.

Abstract: A system and methods are described for calibrating one sensor with respect to another. A method includes: determining a depth-motion vector using a first sensor; determining an optical-motion vector using a second sensor; and calibrating the first sensor with respect to the second sensor by minimizing a cost function that evaluates a distance between the depth-motion and optical-motion vectors.

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: The present disclosure is directed to a skid structure for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a skid structure. A conveyor is provided in the skid structure. The conveyor includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A capture appliance is provided at the first end of the conveyor. The capture appliance includes an arm to close to hold a case storing one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units, and to open to release the case. The capture appliance includes an alignment mechanism to align an opening of the case with the first end of the conveyor. A deployment appliance can be at the second end of the conveyor. The deployment appliance can place an OBS unit of the one or more OBS units onto the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.

Abstract: A method of performing a seismic survey including: deploying nodal seismic sensors at positions in a survey region; activating a plurality of seismic sources; and using the nodal seismic sensors to record seismic signals generated in response to the activation of the plurality of signals.

Abstract: A focus controlling component is configured to control a focus of a laser beam that passes through water and induces plasmas that emit signals. The focus of the laser beam is controlled such that the signals emitted by the induced plasmas interfere to form a combined signal that propagates in a desired direction.

Abstract: A deflecting device and a surveying instrument for deflecting an optical axis two-dimensionally comprising a ring-shaped holding member; ring gears disposed on both sides of the holding member with the holding member interposed between the ring gears and concentric with the holding member; rotary bearings disposed between the holding member and the ring gears on both sides of the holding member and concentric with the holding member; optical deflecting members disposed at central portions of the ring gears and integrated with the ring gears; deflection motors corresponding to the respective ring gears; a drive transmitting member configured to transmit rotary force of the deflection motors to the ring gears; and urging members configured to urge the ring gears in a direction parallel with rotation axes of the ring gears.

Abstract: A method for 2D seismic data acquisition includes determining source-point seismic survey positions for a combined deep profile seismic data acquisition with a shallow profile seismic data acquisition wherein the source-point positions are based on non-uniform optimal sampling. A seismic data set is acquired with a first set of air-guns optimized for a deep-data seismic profile and the data set is acquired with a second set of air-guns optimized for a shallow-data seismic profile. The data are de-blended to obtain a deep 2D seismic dataset and a shallow 2D seismic dataset.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system for at least partially removing intrinsic static noise from data obtained by an optical time-of-flight sensor using full-waveform analysis. The method includes receiving a plurality of calibration traces, the calibration traces being obtained in a controlled environment wherein no object is present in a field of view of the optical time-of-flight sensor; determining a noise template using the calibration traces by performing a statistical analysis on the calibration traces to determine a shape and an amplitude of the intrinsic static noise in the calibration traces; receiving a normal operation trace, the normal operation trace being obtained in an uncontrolled environment wherein a presence of the object in the field of view is unknown; subtracting the noise template from the normal operation trace, obtaining and outputting a denoised signal.

Abstract: Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems and methods of operating the LiDAR systems are provided. The LiDAR system includes a light emitter configured to emit first lights of different wavelengths in a vertical direction and at different scanning angles with respect to a horizontal axis, a lens configured to converge second lights that are reflected from objects on which the first lights are emitted, and a light filter comprising an active-type device configured to adjust a transmission central wavelength of the active-type device to the different wavelengths of the first lights that are emitted from the light emitter. The LiDAR system further includes a controller configured to control an operation of the light emitter and the light filter, and a detector configured to detect light from the light emitter, and obtain information about the objects.

Abstract: A deflecting device and surveying instrument comprising a holding member having a ring shape; ring gears disposed on both sides of the holding member with the holding member interposed the ring gears, the ring gears being concentric with the holding member; bearings disposed between the holding member and the ring gears on both sides of the holding member, the bearings being concentric with the holding member; optical deflecting members disposed at central portions of the ring gears and integrated with the ring gears; deflection motors corresponding to the respective ring gears; and a drive transmitting member configured to transmit rotary force of the deflection motors to the ring gears.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating light intensity. An exemplary method for light intensity calibration may comprise: obtaining a plurality of intensity distributions of reflected light from an area, wherein each of the intensity distributions is associated with a beam; determining a reference intensity distribution from the plurality of intensity distributions, wherein the reference intensity distribution is associated with a reference beam, the plurality of intensity distributions excluding the reference intensity distribution are non-reference intensity distributions, and the non-reference intensity distributions are each associated with a non-reference beam; and aligning each of the non-reference intensity distributions to the reference distribution to calibrate the non-reference intensity distributions against the reference distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simulation apparatus for a rotating lidar light measurement system having a lidar light reception sensor (1), wherein the lidar light reception sensor (1) rotates through 360° about a shaft (11), wherein a light transmitter strip (14) is present in the plane of the lidar light reception sensor (1).

Abstract: A distance measuring device comprising a sensor for highly accurate distance measurement with a very high dynamic range and range walk compensation, said sensor being provided by means of an array of single photon avalanche photodiodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage may include a gated-light valve (GLV) that is operable to receive a light beam from a light source and direct the light beam along one dimension to discrete input locations of a second stage. The second stage may be operable to receive the light beam from the first stage at the discrete input locations along the one dimension and direct the light beam through two dimensions to discrete output locations of the second stage to scan a three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a receiver for a light detection and ranging system. The receiver includes a transimpedance amplifier that is operable in a linear mode for a range of power of light received by the receiver. The receiver can provide information about amplitude of the light outside of the range of power of the light for which the transimpedance amplifier operates in the linear mode. This information can be useful, for example, in identifying an object from which light received by the receiver was reflected.