Abstract: An optical phased array, a method for reducing a phase error thereof, a LiDAR, and an intelligent apparatus are provided. The optical phased array includes an optical signal output unit, a waveguide unit, and an antenna transmitting unit. The optical signal output unit is configured to output M optical signals. The waveguide unit includes M waveguide pipes, each waveguide pipe includes at least one connection waveguide, and each of the at least one connection waveguide includes an input mode converter, a wide waveguide, and an output mode converter that are connected in sequence. The antenna transmitting unit is configured to transmit M optical signals outputted from the waveguide unit.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include a receiver layer, a transmitter layer coupled to the receiver layer through an adhesive layer in a first direction, and one or more optics. The transmitter layer may receive, at a first side of the transmitter layer, a transmit signal from a laser source, and transmit the transmit signal through the one or more optics. The receiver layer may receive, through the one or more optics, a return signal reflected by an object in an environment of the vehicle, and output the return signal at a first side of the receiver layer. The first side of the transmitter layer and the first side of the receiver layer may be apart from and parallel to each other in a second direction crossing the first direction.

Abstract: This application pertains to the technical field of LiDAR, and discloses a phased array emission apparatus, a LiDAR, and an automated driving device. The phased array emission apparatus includes an edge coupler, an optical combiner, and a phased array unit. An output end of the edge coupler is connected to an input end of the optical combiner, and an output end of the optical combiner is connected to an input end of the phased array unit. The edge coupler is configured to input and couple a first optical signal. The optical combiner is configured to transmit, to the phased array unit, the first optical signal coupled by the edge coupler. The phased array unit is configured to split the first optical signal into several first optical sub-signals and emit the first optical sub-signals. In the foregoing method, coupling efficiency can be improved, thereby meeting a low-loss requirement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the dynamic extension of raw phase images of a time-of-flight camera or time-of-flight camera system, in which method at least two depth images are taken using different exposure times.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining reflectance measurements using a time-of-flight (ToF) measurement device. An example method comprises obtaining a distance measurement, using one or more pixels in a ToF sensor, obtaining an intensity measurement corresponding to the distance measurement, using the one or more pixels, and calculating a reflectance value, based on the distance measurement, the intensity measurement, and a reflectance calibration factor. In some embodiments, the calibration distance is obtained by measuring a reference distance to a calibration surface, using a reference pixel in the ToF sensor, and obtaining the calibration distance from the measured reference distance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for dynamically varying receiver characteristics in a lidar system includes emitting light pulses by a light source in a lidar system. The method further includes detecting, by a receiver in the lidar system, light from one of the light pulses scattered by one or more remote targets to identify a return light pulse. The method also includes determining an atmospheric condition at or near a geolocation of a vehicle that includes the lidar system. The method further includes providing a control signal to the receiver adjusting one or more characteristics of the receiver to compensate for attenuation or distortion of the return light pulses associated with the atmospheric condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a container positioning method and apparatus based on multi-line laser data fusion, the method comprising: acquiring point cloud data of at least two multi-line laser radars, and performing point cloud data fusion according to a coordinate system relationship between the at least two laser radars; performing clustering of scanning lines according to the fused point cloud data, and acquiring an edge point of a top surface or a side surface of a target container according to the clustered scanning lines; acquiring a contour of the top surface or the side surface of the target container according to the edge point of the top surface or the side surface of the target container to determine a central point and a heading angle of the target container so as to determine a position of the target container.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system with a large field-of-view (FOV) and low operating power includes an intensity modulator, a controller, and one or more camera sensors. The intensity modulator includes a modulating cell that is configured to receive an optical signal and change a polarization state of the optical signal, in response to an electrical signal received from the controller. The modulating cell includes a material that (i) has at least one of a first order electro-optic effect and a second order electro-optic effect and (ii) has an amount of birefringence that is less than or equal to a predefined amount of birefringence. The camera sensor(s) are configured to measure an intensity of the optical signal and determine range information of an object based on the measured intensity.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a steering system and a light source. In some cases, the steering system includes a rotatable polygon with reflective sides and/or a dispersion optic. The light source produces light signals, such as light pulses. In some cases, the light sources products light pulses at different incident angles and/or different wavelengths. The steering system scans the light signals. In some cases, the light pulses are scanned based on the wavelength of the light pulses.

Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system includes a LIDAR transmitter and a controller. The LIDAR transmitter, driven by the controller, scans a field of view with laser beams, where each laser beam has a beam width that, when projected into a field of view, coincides with an angle region of the field of view. The LIDAR transmitter transmits a first plurality of laser beams in a first scan, where a first plurality of angle regions covered by the first plurality of laser beams are mutually exclusive of each other. The LIDAR transmitter transmits a second plurality of laser beams in a second scan, where a second plurality of angle regions covered by the second plurality of laser beams are mutually exclusive of each other. Each of the second plurality of angle regions partially overlaps with a different corresponding one of the first plurality of angle regions.

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: Laser light pulses are generated and scanned in a raster pattern in a field of view. The laser light pulses are generated at times that result in structured light patterns and non-structured light patterns. The structured light patterns and non-structured light patterns may be in common frames or different frames. Time-of-flight measurement is performed to produce a first 3D point cloud, and structured light processing is performed to produce a second 3D point cloud.

Abstract: A system and a method determines a traveling time for a light pulse between a light pulse source and a pixel of a light sensor array based on a “Find Frequent Items in a Data Steam” technique. In one embodiment, raw timestamp data output from a pixel as a data stream may be temporarily stored, processed twice and then discarded to provide an exact determination of a traveling time estimate. In another embodiment, the raw timestamp data is processed once and discarded to provide an approximate determination of a traveling time estimate. The traveling time estimate may be updated during processing and the most-frequently occurring timestamp is available when processing the data stream is complete. There is no need to keep the raw data in a memory, thereby reducing the memory requirement associated with determining the traveling time of a light pulse.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to multiple beam, single mirror lidar. A multiple beam, single mirror lidar system can include a 2D MEMS mirror and a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of lidar channels, each including a transmitter and a receiver. In the photonic integrated circuit, the lidar channels are directed at a common point on the 2D MEMS mirror. The lidar channels are oriented with relative offset angles. Thus, the lidar channels output beams that are directed at the common point on the 2D MEMS mirror and are oriented with relative offset angles.

Abstract: A beam generating device includes a semiconductor substrate, having an optical passband. A first array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate and are configured to emit respective laser beams through the substrate at a wavelength within the passband. A second array of microlenses is formed on a second face of the semiconductor substrate in respective alignment with the VCSELs so as to transmit the laser beams generated by the VCSELs. The VCSELs are configured to be driven to emit the laser beams in predefined groups in order to change a characteristic of the laser beams.

Abstract: A system includes a first lidar sensor and a second lidar sensor, where each lidar sensor includes a scanner configured to direct a set of pulses of light along a scan pattern and a receiver configured to detect scattered light from the set of light pulses. The scan patterns are at least partially overlapped in an overlap region. The system further includes an enclosure, where the first lidar sensor and the second lidar sensor are contained within the enclosure. Each scanner includes one or more mirrors, and each mirror is driven by a scan mechanism.

Abstract: Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an emitter head configured to receive LIDAR output signals from one or more LIDAR chips and to output head output signals that each includes light from one of the LIDAR output signals. The emitter head is movable relative to the one or more LIDAR chips. The one or more LIDAR chips are configured to receive LIDAR input signals that each includes light from one of the head output signals. The LIDAR input signals include LIDAR data indicating the distance and/or radial velocity between a LIDAR chip and an object.

Abstract: A LIDAR system including one or more processors configured to receive a plurality of electrical signals that are respectively associated with (i) a plurality of optical signals provided by a laser and (ii) a plurality of returned optical signals that are responsive to the plurality of optical signals provided by the laser; determine an internal reflection signal; determine a range to an object by adjusting a third electrical signal of the plurality of electrical signals using the internal reflection signal; and operate a vehicle based on the determined range to the object.

Abstract: An airborne laser scanner configured to be arranged on an aircraft for surveying a target along a flight path. The airborne laser scanner comprises an emitter configured for emitting a plurality of consecutive laser pulses towards the ground surface, at least one optical element configured for deflecting the laser pulses along pulse paths towards the target, a motor configured for altering the pulse paths by moving the optical element, a receiver configured for receiving the laser pulses backscattered from the target, and a computer configured for controlling the emitter, the motor, and the receiver, for determining directions of the pulse paths, and for triggering the emitter to emit the laser pulses with a varying pulse spacing based on the directional component of the pulse paths in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a direction of the flight path.