Abstract: An integrated sensor assembly is described. The integrated sensor assembly can include a housing comprising a compartment. The housing can be arranged on a side surface of a cabin of an autonomous vehicle and within a threshold distance of a cabin roof of the autonomous vehicle. The assembly can include a first sensor arranged in the compartment, the first sensor configured to receive a first signal from a vehicle computer and collect information for mapping an environment of the autonomous vehicle. The assembly can include a light source arranged in the compartment. The light source configured to receive a second signal from the vehicle computer and emit a light pattern for visually indicating one of a hazard, a turn, or an autonomous mode. The light source can be arranged in the compartment to emit light to traffic toward a rear of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A LiDAR sensing device including: a sensing light source unit configured to radiate sensing light; a light transmitting reflector configured to reflect the sensing light radiated from the sensing light source unit; a scanner unit configured to reflect the sensing light reflected from the light transmitting reflector into a target, and to reflect incident light reflected from the target; a light receiving lens configured to pass the incident light reflected from the scanner unit, and integrated with the light transmitting reflector; a light receiving reflector configured to reflect the incident light passing through the light receiving lens; and an optical detecting unit into which the incident light reflected from the light receiving reflector is incident.

Abstract: A device for two-dimensionally scanning beam deflection of a light beam has spectrally tunable light source that emits a light beam having a time-varying wavelength. The device further comprises a first optical component that produces a first beam deflection. The first beam deflection causes the light beam to be deflected wavelength-dependently in a first direction. A second optical component produces a second beam deflection which causes the light beam to be deflected in a second direction different to the first direction. The second optical component comprises a prism pair comprising two prisms that are rotatably arranged successively in a beam path of the light beam. The two prisms are configured to perform continuous counter-rotational movements.

Abstract: A system determines a centerline of a vehicle to adjust a forward aim of a camera or ranging unit. The vehicle has a forward axle transverse to the centerline, a first and second wheels at distal ends of the forward axle, a rearward axle transverse to the centerline, and a third and fourth wheels at distal ends of the rearward axle. The system includes a jig for engagement under the vehicle, a light source attached to the jig for projecting light forward of the jig along the centerline of the vehicle when the jig is fully engaged, and a target placed on the centerline of the vehicle so as to be illuminated by the light source at a fixed distance from the vehicle.

Abstract: A LIDAR assembly is provided. The LIDAR assembly includes a LIDAR unit. The LIDAR unit includes a housing defining a cavity. The LIDAR unit further includes a plurality of emitters disposed within the cavity. Each of the plurality of emitters is configured to emit a laser beam. The LIDAR assembly further includes a switchable mirror. The switchable mirror is positioned relative to the LIDAR unit such that the switchable mirror receives a plurality of laser beams exiting the housing of the LIDAR unit. The switchable mirror is configurable in at least a reflective state to direct the plurality of laser beams along a first path and a transmissive state to direct the plurality of laser beams along a second path that is different than the first path to widen a field of view of the LIDAR unit along a first axis.

Abstract: There is provided a detection device including a light source, an avalanche diode, a first counter, a second counter and a processor. The light source emits light within a first interval, and is turned off within a second interval, a third interval and a fourth interval. The avalanche diode detects photons corresponding to the first interval, second, third and fourth intervals to trigger avalanche events. The first counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the first interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the third interval to generate a first count value. The second counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the second interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the fourth interval to generate a second count value. The processor calculates a time-of-flight according to the first count value and the second count value.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal having a telemetry portion and a noise portion. The method may also include identifying one or more harmonic frequencies in the signal. The method may also include determining whether the one or more harmonic frequencies are in a predetermined frequency band. The method may also include determining whether a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal is below a predetermined SNR threshold. The method may also include generating one or more notifications in response to the determination whether the one or more harmonic frequencies are in the predetermined frequency band and the determination whether the SNR is below the predetermined SNR threshold.

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: An array-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) unit includes an array of emitter/detector sets configured to cover a field of view for the unit. Each emitter/detector set emits and receives light energy on a specific coincident axis unique for that emitter/detector set. A control system coupled to the array of emitter/detector sets controls initiation of light energy from each emitter and processes time of flight information for light energy received on the coincident axis by the corresponding detector for the emitter/detector set. The time of flight information provides imaging information corresponding to the field of view. Interference among light energy is reduced with respect to detectors in the LiDAR unit not corresponding to the specific coincident axis, and with respect to other LiDAR units and ambient sources of light energy. In one embodiment, multiple array-based LiDAR units are used as part of a control system for an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Detection of hydrocarbon bubbles in water using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) to survey shallow water environments for the detection of surface hydrocarbon bubbles therein using LIDAR for the purposes of hydrocarbon exploration and/or brownfield remediation. Embodiments include a method of deploying an airborne LIDAR system configured to detect surface hydrocarbon bubbles in a shallow water environment, the LIDAR system accounting for a bubble volume scattering coefficient; and surveying, using the LIDAR system, the shallow water environment to detect surface hydrocarbon bubbles therein.

Abstract: A vision first light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system captures an image including a targeted object and uses the image to determine a predicted location of the targeted object. Based on the predicted location, the vision first LIDAR system directs a tracking beam onto the targeted object and detects a portion of the tracking beam reflected by the targeted object. The vision first LIDAR system includes an image sensor to capture the image for predicting the location of the targeted object and includes a distance sensor to determine a distance to the targeted object using the tracking beam.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods and media for single photon depth imaging with improved precision in ambient light conditions are provided. In some embodiments, the system comprises: a light source; a single photon detector; an attenuation element configured to provide a variable intensity attenuation factor; and a processor programmed to: (a)-determine an ambient light intensity associated with a scene point; (b)-select an attenuation factor based on the ambient light intensity; (c)-estimate a depth of the scene point based on a multiplicity of photon arrival times determined using the detector during a period of time during which light incident on the detector is attenuated by the selected attenuation factor and during which the light source is configured to periodically emit a pulse of light toward the scene point; (d)-repeat (a)-(c) for each of a multiplicity of scene points.

Abstract: A marine seismic acquisition system includes a frame that includes a central longitudinal axis and members that define orthogonal planes that intersect along the central longitudinal axis; a data interface operatively coupled to the frame; hydrophones operatively coupled to the frame; a buoyancy engine operatively coupled to the frame where the buoyancy engine includes at least one mechanism that controls buoyancy of at least the frame, the hydrophones and the buoyancy engine; and at least one inertial motion sensor operatively coupled to the frame that generates frame orientation data, where the hydrophones, the buoyancy engine and the at least one inertial motion sensor are operatively coupled to the data interface.

Abstract: A multiplexed amplitude modulation photometer includes a microchannel; a first input light path that: receives a first modulated light at a first modulation frequency; and communicates the first modulated light to a first optical region that receives the first analyte that produces a first output light including the first modulation frequency communicated to a first detection light path; the first optical region; the first detection light path that receives the first output light; a second input light path that: receives a second modulated light with a second modulation frequency; and communicates second modulated light to a second optical region that receives the second analyte that produces a second output light with the second modulation frequency communicated to a second detection light path; the second optical region; and the second detection light path that receives the second output light from the second optical region.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, includes a laser source configured to generate light signals, a transceiver, and a fiber array coupled to the transceiver and including a plurality of output channels. The transceiver is configured to receive one or more light signals from the laser source through a first group of output channels of the fiber array, receive one or more local oscillator (LO) signals through a second group of output channels of the fiber array, transmit the one or more light signals into an environment of the vehicle, receive a first returned light reflected from one or more objects in the environment, and output the first returned light and a first LO signal of the one or more LO signals.

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: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for controlling laser pulses emitted by an optical sensing device. The system may include a laser emitter configured to emit a plurality of laser pulses, a power source configured to deliver electrical currents to the laser emitter, and a control circuit configured to deliver electrical currents from the power source to the laser emitter. The control circuit may include a first control path configured to deliver a first electrical current rising at a first rate from the power source to the laser emitter to emit a first laser pulse. The control circuit may also include a second control path configured to deliver a second electrical current rising at a second rate from the power source to the laser emitter to emit a second laser pulse following the first laser pulse. The second rate may be higher than the first rate.

Abstract: A system and method including, predicting a first set of Doppler velocity information for a first point set to produce a first predicted set of Doppler velocity information for the first point set; determining one or more Doppler velocity errors based on the first predicted set of Doppler velocity information and a second set of Doppler velocity information; predicting a third set of Doppler velocity information for the second point set to produce a second predicted set of Doppler velocity information for the second point set; determining one or more Doppler velocity errors based on at least one of the second predicted set of Doppler velocity information and a fourth set of Doppler velocity information; and producing a transform that aligns the one or more points of the first point set with the one or more points of the second point set.

Abstract: An example system includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device that scans a field-of-view defined by a pointing direction of the LIDAR device. The system also includes an actuator that adjusts the pointing direction of the LIDAR device. The system also includes a communication interface that receives timing information from an external system. The system also includes a controller that causes the actuator to adjust the pointing direction of the LIDAR device based on at least the received timing information.

Abstract: A LIDAR system emits laser bursts, wherein each burst has at least a pair of pulses. The pulses of each pair are spaced by a time interval having a variable duration to reduce effects of cross-talk. For example, certain embodiments may have multiple emitter/sensor channels that are used sequentially, and each channel may use a different duration for inter-pulse spacing to reduce the effects of cross-talk between channels. The durations may also be varied over time. The emitters and sensors are physically arranged in a two-dimensional array to achieve a relatively fine vertical pitch. The array has staggered rows that are packed using a hexagonal packing arrangement. The channels are used in a sequential order that is selected to maximize spacing between consecutively used channels, further reducing possibilities for inter-channel cross-talk.