Abstract: An optical testing apparatus is used in testing an optical measuring instrument. The optical measuring instrument provides an incident light pulse from a light source to an incident object and receives a reflected light pulse as a result of reflection of the incident light pulse at the incident object. The optical testing apparatus includes two or more testing light sources, two or more optical penetration members, and a wave multiplexing section. The two or more testing light sources each output a testing light pulse. The two or more optical penetration members each have an optical penetration region and receive the testing light pulse from each of the two or more testing light sources for penetration through the optical penetration region. The wave multiplexing section multiplexes the testing light pulses penetrating through the two or more optical penetration members for provision to the optical measuring instrument.

Abstract: A sensing element includes a plurality of sensing pixel areas arranged in matrix, wherein each of the plurality of sensing pixel areas includes a first pixel, a second pixel, a first shielding layer, a second shielding layer and at least one micro lens. The second pixel is adjacent to the first pixel in a predetermined direction. The first shielding layer is disposed on the first pixel and has a first opening, wherein an aperture of the first opening increases along the predetermined direction from a center of the first pixel. The second shielding layer is disposed on the second pixel and has a second opening, wherein a shape of the second opening is mirror symmetrical with that of the first opening in the predetermined direction. The at least one micro lens is disposed on the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing a system for determining the range to a target object and orienting a map. In implementations, GPS data is used to determine the location of the system and an approximate distance from that location to the target. Based on the approximate distance, one or more parameters of operation of the system may be set. Modes of operation may be entered to further adjust parameters of operation. An optical pulse may then be projected at the target and its reflections collected and analyzed to calculate a distance measurement. A visual display may be adjusted based on the calculated distance estimate to the target.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems to resolve return signals among pixels in lidar systems. The described lidar system transmits signals with different waveforms for consecutive pixels to associate return signals with their corresponding pixels. During a detection window, the lidar system receives a return signal and compares it in the frequency domain to at least two template signals. The template signals include the waveform of an initial pixel and a subsequent pixel of two consecutive pixels, respectively. The lidar system then determines, based on the comparison to the template signals, the pixel to which the return signal corresponds and determines a characteristic of an object that reflected the return signal. In this way, the lidar system can confidently resolve detections to reduce the time between pixels. This improvement allows the described lidar system to operate at faster scanning speeds and realize a faster reaction time for automotive applications.

Abstract: Provided is a weapon aiming system including a riflescope and a laser rangefinder (LRF). The riflescope has at least one turret for adjusting the position of an internal reticle aimpoint. At least one encoder senses a relative position change of the turret and/or reticle. The LRF includes at least one pair of Risley prisms operable to adjustably position a LRF aimpoint to coincide with the aimpoint of the riflescope reticle. A motor is associated with each Risley prism. The system is configured such that adjusting the aimpoint of the riflescope reticle causes the encoder to send a position change signal to a controller programmed to, in response, direct the motor to reposition the prisms so that the LRF aimpoint continues to coincide with the reticle aimpoint.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a solid state electronic scanning LIDAR system that includes a scanning focal plane transmitting element and a scanning focal plane receiving element whose operations are synchronized so that the firing sequence of an emitter array in the transmitting element corresponds to a capturing sequence of a photosensor array in the receiving element. During operation, the emitter array can sequentially fire one or more light emitters into a scene and the reflected light can be received by a corresponding set of one or more photosensors through an aperture layer positioned in front of the photosensors. Each light emitter can correspond with an aperture in the aperture layer, and each aperture can correspond to a photosensor in the receiving element such that each light emitter corresponds with a specific photosensor in the receiving element.

Abstract: A photodetector measures flight time by an imaging optical element imaging reflected light from an illuminated illumination region of an object illuminated by pulse light, and a light detection portion receiving the imaged light. The light detection portion is formed larger than a projection region reflected at the illumination region of the object and imaged on the light detection portion. In the light detection portion, a portion overlaying the projection region is activated as a light-detection region.

Abstract: A LIDAR sensor apparatus and a control method thereof. The LIDAR sensor apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a laser, first and second receivers each configured to receive a reflected signal reflected from an object after the laser is transmitted through the transmitter, a control unit configured to calculate first and second distances by performing signal processing on first and second signals received from the first and second receivers after the laser is transmitted through the transmitter, and to calculate an intermediate distance by performing signal processing on an overlapping signal obtained by overlapping the first and second signals, and an output unit configured to output the first and second distances and the intermediate distance calculated by the control unit.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time and a second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time. The apparatus can include an analyzer configured to calculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam. The analyzer can be configured to calculate a second velocity based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam. The first location can be targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location can be targeted by the second laser subsystem such that the first velocity is substantially the same as the second velocity.

Abstract: A method is presented for optimizing a scan pattern of a LIDAR system on an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving first SNR values based on values of a range of the target, where the first SNR values are for a respective scan rate. The method further includes receiving second SNR values based on values of the range of the target, where the second SNR values are for a respective integration time. The method further includes receiving a maximum design range of the target at each angle in the angle range. The method further includes determining, for each angle in the angle range, a maximum scan rate and a minimum integration time. The method further includes defining a scan pattern of the LIDAR system based on the maximum scan rate and the minimum integration time at each angle and operating the LIDAR system according to the scan pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a tangible, non-transitory, machine readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the image processor effectuates operations including: capturing, with a first image sensor, a first image of at least two light points projected on a surface by the at least one laser light emitter; extracting, with at least one image processor, a first distance between the at least two light points in the first image in a first direction; and estimating, with the at least one image processor, a first distance to the surface on which the at least two light points are projected based on at least the first distance between the at least two light points and a predetermined relationship relating a distance between at least two light points in the first direction and a distance to the surface on which the at least two light points are projected.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device includes: an illumination component that emitting a light beam toward a viewing space; a receiving lens element receiving reflected light and directing the reflected light to a photo-receiver array; and a processor. The processor is configured to generate distance information for a pixel corresponding to an object in the viewing space based on time-of-flight analysis of the reflected light; record a variation of an intensity of the reflected light from the object over time to yield intensity variation information; record a variation of the distance information for the pixel corresponding to the object over time to yield distance variation information; and apply a correction factor to the distance information in response to a determination that the intensity variation information and the distance variation information do not conform to an inverse-square relationship.

Abstract: A geodesic system for measuring the position of a target when the target is obstructed from view by a station. The geodesic system includes a rod fastener positioned on a housing axis for selectively coupling a housing to a survey rod, wherein the housing axis is collinear with a rod axis centrally-positioned within the survey rod when the system is coupled to the survey rod. The system further includes a cuboid-shaped station-scope for viewing the station along a station-line extending between the system and the station and for viewing the target along a target-line extending between the system and the target. The station-scope includes a mirror equally bisecting the station-scope. The housing axis equally bisects the mirror at an intersection of the station-line and the target-line. The station further includes a rangefinder for aligning a laser with the target, the laser having an origination point along the housing axis.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus is provided that includes a laser source configured to emit a laser beam in a first direction. The apparatus also includes lensing optics configured to pass a first portion of the laser beam in the first direction toward a target, return a second portion of the laser beam into a return path as a local oscillator signal, and return a target signal into the return path. The apparatus also includes a quarter-wave plate configured to polarize the laser beam headed in the first direction and polarize the target signal returned through the lensing optics. The apparatus also includes a polarization beam splitter configured to pass non-polarized light through the beam splitter in the first direction and reflect polarized light in a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the polarization beam splitter is further configured to enable interference between the local oscillator signal and the target signal to generate a mixed signal.

Abstract: A system to determine a position of one or more objects includes a transmitter to emit a beam of photons to sequentially illuminate regions of one or more objects; multiple cameras that are spaced-apart with each camera having an array of pixels to detect photons; and one or more processor devices that execute stored instructions to perform actions of a method, including: directing the transmitter to sequentially illuminate regions of one or more objects with the beam of photons; for each of the regions, receiving, from the cameras, an array position of each pixel that detected photons of the beam reflected or scattered by the region of the one or more objects; and, for each of the regions detected by the cameras, determining a position of the regions using the received array positions of the pixels that detected the photons of the beam reflected or scattered by that region.

Abstract: A surveying instrument for executing a relocation functionality, which determines first coordinates of a stationary target point associated with the start signal, in response to a start signal, a first actuator and a second actuator are controlled such that the stationary target point remains within a detection area of a tracking unit of the surveying instrument, determines second coordinates of the stationary target point, receives an end signal, wherein the second coordinates of the stationary target point are associated with the end signal, and based at least in part on the first and second coordinates of the stationary target point, and determines a relative pose of the surveying instrument with respect to a first setup location and a second setup location, wherein the first setup location is associated with the first coordinates and the second setup location is associated with the second coordinates.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes an optical source to emit an optical beam, an optical window to reflect a first portion of the optical beam to generate an LO signal, and an optical scanner to transmit a second portion of the optical beam to a target to scan the target to generate a target return signal. The LiDAR system includes a birefringent crystal plate to transmit the LO signal and the target return signal to a PD and shift the LO signal and the target return signal by different displacements to increase a percentage of an overlap of the LO signal and the target return signal on a detection plane of the PD. The LiDAR system includes the PD to mix the target return signal with the LO signal on the detection plane of the PD to generate a heterodyne signal to extract range and velocity information of the target.

Abstract: A sensor mounting structure includes: a sensor body that detects peripheral information in relation to a vehicle; and a housing that is formed in a box shape, covers the sensor body from an outer side, and is attached to an outer panel of the vehicle, wherein fastening portions extend from wall surfaces of the housing at one end side and another end side in a direction along the outer panel, and the fastening portions are fastened to the outer panel by fastening members.

Abstract: A method including receiving, responsive to a transmission of a plurality of optical beams into an environment including a target, a plurality of returned optical beams associated with the target. The method includes generating a plurality of points from the plurality of returned optical beams, wherein each one of the plurality of points respectively corresponds to one of the plurality of returned optical beams; selecting a first point from the plurality of points and a second point from the plurality of points. The method includes identifying, by a processor, an orientation of the first point relative to the FMCW LIDAR system based on the second point from the plurality of points. The method includes computing an orientation of the target relative to the FMCW LIDAR system based on the orientation of the first point; and generating a point cloud based on the orientation of the target.

Abstract: An air data system includes a laser emitter, a laser receiver, and an electronics module. The electronics module includes a processor and computer-readable memory encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the laser to emit a coherent light pulse into a target volume locating within an exhaust flow aft of an aircraft. The laser receiver detects backscatter produced by the coherent light pulse interacting with the aft target volume, and the electronics module determines an air data parameter based on the backscatter and at least one of an engine parameter indicative of an engine condition of the aircraft and an aircraft parameter indicative of a state of the aircraft before outputting the air data parameter to a consuming system of the aircraft.