Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system that provides a large field-of-view (FOV) includes an angle tolerant birefringent electro-optic shutter, an optical system, and one or more image sensors. The electro-optic shutter includes a birefringent material. The optical system is configured to receive optical pulses that are reflected from an environment and that include a first set of angles. The optical system is configured to compress the first set of angles into a second set of angles below a threshold angle associated with the birefringent material. The electro-optic shutter is configured to receive the optical signals with the second set of angles. The image sensor(s) are configured to generate an image of the environment based on the optical pulses with the second set of angles that pass through the electro-optic shutter.

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 technique for increasing the measurement range of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes triggering a light source of the LIDAR system to emit light pulses towards an environment at a first repetition rate. A different second repetition rate for operation of a shutter of the LIDAR system is determined. The operation of the shutter is synchronized with the light source, based on the second repetition rate, such that reflections caused by the light pulses arrive at the shutter when the shutter is in different states during the time period. An intensity of the reflections that arrive at the shutter is determined. A range to objects in the environment is determined based on the measured intensity of the reflections.

Abstract: Systems and methods used to perform touchless registration of images for surgical navigation are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include a 3-D scanning device to capture spatial data of a region of interest of a patient and a reference frame. A digital mesh model is generated from the spatial data. A reference frame model is registered with the digital mesh model. Anatomical features of the digital mesh model and a patient registration model are utilized to register the digital mesh model with the patient registration model. A position of a surgical instrument is tracked relative to the reference frame and the patient registration model.

Abstract: LIDAR systems are less accurate in the presence of background light which can saturate the sensors in the LIDAR system. The embodiments herein describe a LIDAR system with a shutter synchronized to a laser source. During a first time period, the laser source is synched with the shutter so that the reflections are received when the shutter is in the process of changing between on and off states, during which time a function of the shutter (e.g., a phase retardation or opacity) monotonically changes so that reflections received at different times have different time-dependent characteristics (e.g., different polarizations). To mitigate the effects of background light, during a second time period, the laser source is synched with the shutter so that the background light is measured (in the absence of the reflections) which can be used to remove the effects of the background light from a range measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods used to perform non-contact patient registration of images for surgical navigation are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include a 3-D scanning device to capture spatial data of a region of interest of a patient and a reference frame. A digital mesh model is generated from the spatial data. A reference frame model is registered with the digital mesh model. Anatomical features of the digital mesh model and a patient registration model are utilized to register the digital mesh model with the patient registration model. A position of a surgical instrument is tracked relative to the reference frame and the patient registration model.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a tunable acoustic gradient (TAG) lens imaging system. The method includes: (a) providing a smart lighting pulse control routine/circuit (SLPCRC) that provides a first mode of exposure control corresponding to a points from focus (PFF) mode of the TAG lens imaging system and a second mode of exposure control corresponding to an extended depth of focus (EDOF) mode of the TAG lens imaging system; (b) placing a workpiece in a field of view of the TAG lens imaging system; and (c) periodically modulating a focus position of the TAG lens imaging system without macroscopically adjusting the spacing between elements in the TAG lens imaging system, wherein the focus position is periodically modulated over a plurality of focus positions along a focus axis direction in a focus range including a surface height of the workpiece, at a modulation frequency of at least 30 kHz.

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 imaging ellipsometer system is provided including a lens configuration with tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (“TAG”) lens. The imaging ellipsometer system further includes a light source, a polarizer, a compensator, an analyzer and a camera. Light from the light source passes through the polarizer and is directed toward a workpiece. In various implementations, the compensator is located and configured to elliptically polarize the light either before or after the light is reflected from the workpiece. The lens configuration receives the reflected workpiece light and the TAG lens is controlled to provide a modulation of a focus position. The camera receives workpiece light that passes through the TAG lens and the analyzer during an image exposure and provides a corresponding camera image. An ellipsometry analysis is performed (e.g., to determine at least one of a refraction index, or a thickness of one or more layers of the workpiece, etc.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a tunable acoustic gradient (TAG) lens imaging system. The method includes: (a) providing a smart lighting pulse control routine/circuit (SLPCRC) that provides a first mode of exposure control corresponding to a points from focus (PFF) mode of the TAG lens imaging system and a second mode of exposure control corresponding to an extended depth of focus (EDOF) mode of the TAG lens imaging system; (b) placing a workpiece in a field of view of the TAG lens imaging system; and (c) periodically modulating a focus position of the TAG lens imaging system without macroscopically adjusting the spacing between elements in the TAG lens imaging system, wherein the focus position is periodically modulated over a plurality of focus positions along a focus axis direction in a focus range including a surface height of the workpiece, at a modulation frequency of at least 30 kHz.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and techniques for wireless communication. One example apparatus generally includes an antenna terminal, an amplifier, a matching network coupled between the antenna terminal and an output of the amplifier, a first voltage envelope detector coupled to a node between the antenna and the matching network, and a current detection circuit coupled to the amplifier.

Abstract: A imaging ellipsometer system is provided including a lens configuration with tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (“TAG”) lens. The imaging ellipsometer system further includes a light source, a polarizer, a compensator, an analyzer and a camera. Light from the light source passes through the polarizer and is directed toward a workpiece. In various implementations, the compensator is located and configured to elliptically polarize the light either before or after the light is reflected from the workpiece. The lens configuration receives the reflected workpiece light and the TAG lens is controlled to provide a modulation of a focus position. The camera receives workpiece light that passes through the TAG lens and the analyzer during an image exposure and provides a corresponding camera image. An ellipsometry analysis is performed (e.g., to determine at least one of a refraction index, or a thickness of one or more layers of the workpiece, etc.

Abstract: A focus state reference subsystem comprising a focus state (FS) reference object is provided for use in a variable focal length (VFL) lens system comprising a VFL lens, a controller that modulates its optical power, and a camera located along an optical path including an objective lens and the VFL lens. Reference object image light from the FS reference object is transmitted along a portion of the optical path through the VFL lens to the camera. Respective FS reference regions (FSRRs) of the FS reference object include a contrast pattern fixed at respective focus positions. A camera image that includes a best-focus image of a particular FSRR defines a best-focus reference state associated with that FSRR, wherein that best-focus reference state comprises a VFL optical power and/or effective focus position of the VFL lens system through the objective lens.

Abstract: A method of performing micro-transactions to pay-off a debt that is used to automatically withdraw funds from an external withdrawal account and deposit said funds into an external deposit account at the end of a given financial transaction. The method is used to track the financial transactions made by multiple users via multiple financial accounts. The method is designed to determine the specific user responsible for making a given financial transaction. Additionally, the method determines the external withdrawal account used by the user to complete the financial transaction. Once the user and withdrawal account are determined, the method executes a savings transaction process to perform a micro-transaction and deposit a supplementary savings amount into the appropriate external deposit account.

Abstract: A particle filter (2) for filtering exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine includes a housing and a filter element. A simplified installation and/or simplified replacement of the filter element (5) and/or improved sealing of the housing (4) results if the filter element (5) is supported in an inner jacket (9), which is supported radially in an outer jacket (12) and is arranged so as to be axially movable in the outer jacket (12). The inner jacket (9) is axially supported on a ring (24), which is supported axially on a cover (22) that closes an installation opening (20) of the housing (4) via at least one supporting element (25) in order to transmit pressure forces. A muffler (1) is provided having such a particle filter (2), wherein a section of a muffler housing (3) of the muffler (1) forms the housing (4) of the particle filter (2).

Abstract: A particle filter (2) for filtering exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine includes a housing and a filter element. A simplified installation and/or simplified replacement of the filter element (5) and/or improved sealing of the housing (4) results if the filter element (5) is supported in an inner jacket (9), which is supported radially in an outer jacket (12) and is arranged so as to be axially movable in the outer jacket (12). The inner jacket (9) is axially supported on a ring (24), which is supported axially on a cover (22) that closes an installation opening (20) of the housing (4) via at least one supporting element (25) in order to transmit pressure forces. A muffler (1) is provided having such a particle filter (2), wherein a section of a muffler housing (3) of the muffler (1) forms the housing (4) of the particle filter (2).

Abstract: An optical fibre cable has a channel (2) loosely housing an optical ribbon element (3) and a non-optical ribbon element (3A) which both have an evenly distributed excess length of between 0.5% and 1% and adopt a regular undulating configuration in a thixotropic water blocking gel (28) in the channel.