Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capture the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. The system may process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals separately to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system. The PIC may include at least one on-chip polarization rotator for converting a light signal of one polarization state to a light signal of another polarization state.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output light. A portion of the light is included in a LIDAR signal that travels a LIDAR path from the light source to an object located outside of the LIDAR system and from the object to a filter and from the filter to a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to convert optical signals that include the LIDAR signal to electrical signals. A portion of the light is also included in one or more misdirected signals. Each of the misdirected signals travels a different misdirected path from the light source to the filter. Each of the misdirected paths is a different path from the LIDAR path. The system also includes a filter being configured to filter out the LIDAR signal from the misdirected signals. The system also includes electronics that generate LIDAR data from the electrical signals.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength. The system includes optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal. The LIDAR input signals each includes light that was reflected by an object located apart from the system and that was included also in one of the channels. The reference signals do not include light that was reflected by the object but include light from one of the channels. Each of the composite signals is generated such that the reference signal and the LIDAR input included in the composite signal includes light from the same channel.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength. The system includes optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal. The LIDAR input signals each includes light that was reflected by an object located apart from the system and that was included also in one of the channels. The reference signals do not include light that was reflected by the object but include light from one of the channels. Each of the composite signals is generated such that the reference signal and the LIDAR input included in the composite signal includes light from the same channel.

Abstract: A LIDAR system concurrently outputs multiple LIDAR output signals that concurrently illuminate the same sample region in a field of view for a data period. The sample region is one of multiple sample regions included in the field of view. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that use the multiple LIDAR output signals to generate LIDAR data for the sample region. The LIDAR data includes a distance and/or a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object that reflects the LIDAR output signals.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has one or more light splitters and multiple light combiners. The LIDAR system also has multiple optical pathways through which light signals travel. The optical pathways include delay pathways that each extends from one of the one or more splitters to one of the light combiners. The optical pathways include expedited pathways that each extends from one of the splitters to one of the light combiners. Each of the light combiners has one of the delay pathways and one of the expedited pathways extending to the light combiner. The delay pathways and the expedited pathways are configured such that the delay pathway to each light combiner is longer than the expedited pathway to the same light combiner. Each of the delay pathways has a common portion and a separated portion. The common portion of each delay pathway is shared by the other delay pathways. In contrast, the separated portion of a delay pathways is not shared with the other delay pathways.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes one or more optical components that output multiple system output signals. The system also includes electronics that use light from the system output signals to generate LIDAR data. The LIDAR data indicates a distance and/or radial velocity between the LIDAR system and one or more object located outside of the LIDAR system. The electronics including a series processing component that processes electrical signals that are each generated from one of the system output signals. The series processing component processes the electrical signals generated from different system output signals in series.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a waveguide array configured to output a LIDAR output signal such that the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The system also includes electronics configured to tune a wavelength of the LIDAR output signal such that the direction that the LIDAR output signal travels away from the LIDAR chip changes in response to the tuning of the wavelength by the electronics.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a waveguide array configured to output a LIDAR output signal such that the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The system also includes electronics configured to tune a wavelength of the LIDAR output signal such that the direction that the LIDAR output signal travels away from the LIDAR chip changes in response to the tuning of the wavelength by the electronics.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capture the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. The system may process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals separately to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system. The PIC may include at least one on-chip polarization rotator for converting a light signal of one polarization state to a light signal of another polarization state.

Abstract: A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system has a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal with a wavelength between 1290 nm and 1310 nm. The LIDAR chip is also configured to receive a LIDAR input signal from off of the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR input signal including light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR chip is configured to generate a composite signal that includes light from a comparative light signal and light from a reference signal. The comparative signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal but the reference signal does not include light from the LIDAR output signal.

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: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of laser signals and/or incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capturing the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. In some instances, the laser signal may be converted into two different polarization states. The system may individually process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals along with the corresponding polarization state of the laser reference signal to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to high speed remote imaging systems, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems. Example embodiments describe systems that are configured to mitigate a walk-off effect that may limit a speed of operation of the imaging system. The walk-off effect may be characterized by a failure to steer returning signals to a designated input facet of the imaging system due to continuous rotation of mirrors associated with the steering mechanisms. The walk-off effect may be mitigating by configuring more than one input waveguide to receiving returning signals associated with an output signal. The input waveguides may be spaced apart and configured to sequentially receive the input signals. In some embodiments, walk-off mitigation may extend a range of operation of the imaging systems.

Abstract: The optical manifold has multiple cores that each generates an outgoing LIDAR signal that carries one or more channels. Scanning heads are located apart from the manifold. Each scanning head is associated with one of the cores and is configured such that each scanning head receives an outgoing LIDAR signal from the associated core. The scanning heads are each configured to transmit one or more LIDAR output signals that each carries light from a different one of the channels and such that the different LIDAR output signals each travels away from the scanning head in a different direction. Each of the cores is associated with different core electronics. The core electronics are configured to tune a property of one of the outgoing LIDAR signals such that the tuning of the property causes a change to the direction that the one or more LIDAR output signals travel away from the scanning head associated with the core electronics.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source that outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal that includes multiple different channels. The LIDAR system also generate multiple composite light signals that each carries a signal couple and are each associated with a different one of the channels. A signal couple includes a reference signal and an associated comparative signal. The comparative signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The reference signals also include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but also exclude light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system. There is a frequency differential between a frequency of the reference signal and a frequency of the associated comparative signal. The frequency differential includes a contribution from a frequency offset that is induced by electronics.

Abstract: The LIDAR system includes a first transform component configured to perform a complex mathematical transform on first signals. The LIDAR system also includes a second transform component configured to perform a real mathematical transform on second signals. Electronics are configured to use an output of the first transform component in combination with an output of the second transformation component to generate LIDAR data.

Abstract: An on-chip optical switch based on an echelle grating and a phase tuning element is described herein. The phase tuning element may change a refractive index of the material through which an optical signal propagates, thereby causing a change in the angle of propagation of the optical signal. By dynamically tuning the phase change element, the refractive index change may be controlled such that the deviation of the optical signal causes the optical signal to be focused on a particular coupling waveguide out of an array of coupling waveguides. The echelle grating with the active phase change element form a configurable optical switch capable of switching an optical signal between two or more coupling waveguides, that may be respectively connected to different optical signal processing pathways.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured that outputs a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR system also includes a LIDAR adapter that receives the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR chip and also outputs the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR system and toward a sample region in a field of view. The LIDAR adapter also receives a LIDAR return signal that includes light from the LIDAR output signal after the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located in the sample region. The LIDAR output signal and the LIDAR return signal travel the same optical pathway between the LIDAR adapter and the object. The LIDAR adapter is also configured to output a LIDAR input signal that is received by the LIDAR chip and includes or consists of light from the LIDAR return signal. The LIDAR input signal and the LIDAR output signal travel different optical pathways between the LIDAR adapter and the LIDAR chip.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a transmitter that outputs a system output signal from the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that control a frequency of the system output signal over a series of cycles. The cycles include multiple data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a first rate during a first one of the data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a second rate during a second one of the data periods. The second rate is different from the first rate.