Abstract: A method for environment scanning using LiDAR. The method includes: emitting a primary beam into an environment; receiving secondary beams reflected by objects in the environment; determining a multiple reflection value for each secondary beam; assigning each secondary beam a coordinate point in the environment; and providing a point cloud having the coordinate points, wherein, for each coordinate point, the multiple reflection value determined for the associated secondary beam is stored, wherein the multiple reflection value contains information regarding whether the associated secondary beam belongs to a group of multiple reflections.

Abstract: A method for identifying blooming candidates in a Lidar measurement may include providing a distance-based histogram of points of a point cloud generated in the Lidar measurement. In the histogram, clusters of points having the same distance to a Lidar sensor carrying out the Lidar measurement are identified and intensities of the points of a cluster are evaluated. If the cluster contains points, the intensities of which exceed in each case a predefined limit value, those points of the cluster, the intensities of which do not exceed in each case the predefined limit value and in particular fall below the predefined limit value by more than a predefined threshold value, are classified as blooming candidates.

Abstract: Dirt on a viewing window of a lidar is detected using a laser beam transmitted into a detection region and detecting light that is present in the detection region. An intensity image is generated as a greyscale image of intensities of laser reflections from the light reflected and detected as a result of the transmission of the laser beam. A background light image is generated as a greyscale image of background light from the light detected without transmitting a laser beam. The intensity image and the background light image are analyzed with respect to common features. When a number of common features falls below a predetermined number, it is concluded that there is dirt on the viewing window.

Abstract: A method for identifying blooming candidates in a Lidar measurement may include providing a distance-based histogram of points of a point cloud generated in the Lidar measurement. In the histogram, clusters of points having the same distance to a Lidar sensor carrying out the Lidar measurement are identified and intensities of the points of a cluster are evaluated. If the cluster contains points, the intensities of which exceed in each case a predefined limit value, those points of the cluster, the intensities of which do not exceed in each case the predefined limit value and in particular fall below the predefined limit value by more than a predefined threshold value, are classified as blooming candidates.

Abstract: A method for determining false-positive detections of a lidar sensor in a scanning process of the surroundings of a vehicle involves, for every laser pulse that is reflected back to the lidar sensor in a scan range of this, checking whether this is reflected back several times in different distances. First reflections of a laser pulse that is reflected back several times are clustered and then, if a distance evaluation of reflections from the cluster produced reveals that the laser pulses are being reflected at a reflecting surface that is at least approximately homogeneous, further reflections following the respective first reflection are marked as false-positive detections.

Abstract: Blooming in a lidar measurement is recognized using a distance from a lidar reflection point determined in an active measurement and a passive measurement. A first distance value is determined in the active measurement, based on a signal duration of a laser pulse, and a second distance value is determined in the passive measurement, based on a triangulation of two-dimensional intensity measurements carried out from different measuring positions. Blooming is identified when the second distance value exceeds the first distance value by a pre-determined amount.

Abstract: Blooming in a lidar measurement is recognized using a distance from a lidar reflection point determined in an active measurement and a passive measurement. A first distance value is determined in the active measurement, based on a signal duration of a laser pulse, and a second distance value is determined in the passive measurement, based on a triangulation of two-dimensional intensity measurements carried out from different measuring positions. Blooming is identified when the second distance value exceeds the first distance value by a pre-determined amount.

Abstract: A light source module may include a base with a support feature protruding from a surface of the base and securing a light source to direct radiation away from the surface. A lens cells may be attached proximate to the surface, optionally by being secured within a sleeve that is attached at one end to the surface. A multi-conductor part may include electrical conductors and a base temperature sensor that contacts the base. The base temperature sensor may be electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of conductive elements and further connected to an optical ignition safety protection system configured to interrupt current to the light source if the base temperature sensor indicates that a temperature of the light source is outside of a safe range.

Abstract: A light source module may include a base with a support feature protruding from a surface of the base and securing a light source to direct radiation away from the surface. A lens cells may be attached proximate to the surface, optionally by being secured within a sleeve that is attached at one end to the surface. A multi-conductor part may include electrical conductors and a base temperature sensor that contacts the base. The base temperature sensor may be electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of conductive elements and further connected to an optical ignition safety protection system configured to interrupt current to the light source if the base temperature sensor indicates that a temperature of the light source is outside of a safe range.

Abstract: In an automobile electrical system having an alternator drivingly connected to a vehicle engine the alternator has a polyphase output winding producing a polyphase output in the form of a polyphase alternator voltage for each phase. A load dump apparatus and method for varying the output of the alternator employs a bridge coupled to the polyphase output winding and having a pair of direct voltage output terminals. The bridge has lower and upper switchable elements for each corresponding phase winding, the switchable elements are forward biased and connected in series across the output of the bridge and have a common or neutral input note connected to the corresponding phase winding. Each switchable element is controllable in accordance with a respective conduction signal applied thereto.