Patents by Inventor Emil A. Kadlec

Emil A. Kadlec has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220260695
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system including a laser configured to output a beam, an amplifier, and an optical network. The amplifier may be configured to receive a plurality of optical signals that are generated based on the beam and are respectively associated with a plurality of phases. The amplifier may be configured to generate a plurality of amplified optical signals based on the plurality of optical signals. The optical network may be coupled to the amplifier. The optical network may be configured to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals. The optical network may be configured to generate an optical signal based on the plurality of amplified optical signals. An amplitude of the optical signal may correspond to a combined amplitude of the plurality of amplified optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy R. Reibel, Emil Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11415699
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more components that include at least one of an electrical circuit, an electro-optical component, or an optical component. The one or more components are configured to receive an optical beam generated by a laser source, split the optical beam into a plurality of optical beams, transmit the plurality of optical beams through a first subset of optical paths. The one or more components are configured to in response to transmitting the plurality of optical beams, receive a reflected beam through a second subset of the optical paths, generate a first output signal based on a first local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam, and generate a second output signal based on a second local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20220244363
    Abstract: A method for controlling a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system includes determining a code that has a first set of symbols having a first number of symbols. An optical signal generated based on the code is transmitted to an environment. The first set of symbols are transmitted as part of the optical signal in a first duration. In response to transmitting the optical signal, a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment is received. A second number of symbols to be sampled is determined, the second number of symbols being different than the first number of symbols. A second set of symbols having the second number of symbols is sampled in a second duration based on the returned optical signal. A range to the object is determined based on the second set of symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Emil A. Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20220171072
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20220146643
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11327161
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more processors, and one or more computer-readable storage mediums storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a code that has a first number of symbols, transmit, to an environment, an optical signal generated based on the code such that the first number of symbols are transmitted in a first duration, in response to transmitting the optical signal, receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, sample, from the returned optical signal, a second number of symbols in a second duration, the second number being different from the first number, and determine, based on the second number of symbols, a range to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Emil A. Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11280909
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a transceiver, a laser source coupled to the transceiver, a time-division multiplexing (TDM) circuit, and one or more processors. The TDM circuit is configured to generate a plurality of first signals. The one or more processors are configured to control the laser source to provide an optical beam to a first input optical channel of a plurality of input optical channels of the transceiver during a first time slot, based on the optical beam provided to the first input optical channel, control the transceiver to send a first reflected beam and a second reflected beam to the TDM circuit through a first output optical channel of a plurality of output optical channels of the transceiver, and based on a control signal provided to the TDM circuit, control the TDM circuit to select the plurality of first signals during the first time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11262455
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20220024487
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen CROUCH, Zeb Barber, Emil KADLEC, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
  • Publication number: 20210405204
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a transceiver, a laser source coupled to the transceiver, a time-division multiplexing (TDM) circuit, and one or more processors. The TDM circuit is configured to generate a plurality of first signals. The one or more processors are configured to control the laser source to provide an optical beam to a first input optical channel of a plurality of input optical channels of the transceiver during a first time slot, based on the optical beam provided to the first input optical channel, control the transceiver to send a first reflected beam and a second reflected beam to the TDM circuit through a first output optical channel of a plurality of output optical channels of the transceiver, and based on a control signal provided to the TDM circuit, control the TDM circuit to select the plurality of first signals during the first time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20210405156
    Abstract: In some implementations, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser source configured to provide an optical signal at a first signal power, an amplifier having a plurality of gain levels, at which the amplifier is configured to amplify the optical signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, based on the first signal power and a duty cycle of the optical signal, vary a gain level of the amplifier from the plurality of gain levels to generate a pulse signal, transmit the pulse signal from the amplifier to an environment, receive a reflected signal that is reflected from an object, responsive to transmitting the pulse signal, and determine a range to the object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Devlin Baker, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20210405202
    Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20210405205
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20210405203
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more components that include at least one of an electrical circuit, an electro-optical component, or an optical component. The one or more components are configured to receive an optical beam generated by a laser source, split the optical beam into a plurality of optical beams, transmit the plurality of optical beams through a first subset of optical paths. The one or more components are configured to in response to transmitting the plurality of optical beams, receive a reflected beam through a second subset of the optical paths, generate a first output signal based on a first local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam, and generate a second output signal based on a second local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11209529
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a coherent signal generator comprising an amplifier configured to receive a plurality of optical signals that are respectively associated with a plurality of phases, and generate a plurality of amplified optical signals using the plurality of optical signals; and a splitter network that is coupled to the amplifier. The splitter network is configured to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals, and generate a combined optical signal at an output of a plurality of outputs using the plurality of amplified optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy R. Reibel, Emil Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11161526
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Crouch, Zeb Barber, Emil Kadlec, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
  • Publication number: 20210278513
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a coherent signal generator comprising an amplifier configured to receive a plurality of optical signals that are respectively associated with a plurality of phases, and generate a plurality of amplified optical signals using the plurality of optical signals; and a splitter network that is coupled to the amplifier. The splitter network is configured to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals, and generate a combined optical signal at an output of a plurality of outputs using the plurality of amplified optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy R. Reibel, Emil Kadlec
  • Publication number: 20210255294
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more processors, and one or more computer-readable storage mediums storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a code that has a first number of symbols, transmit, to an environment, an optical signal generated based on the code such that the first number of symbols are transmitted in a first duration, in response to transmitting the optical signal, receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, sample, from the returned optical signal, a second number of symbols in a second duration, the second number being different from the first number, and determine, based on the second number of symbols, a range to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Emil A. Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11029395
    Abstract: A system and method for pulsed-wave LIDAR to support the operation of a vehicle. In some implementations, the system and method include modulating an optical signal to generate a modulated optical signal; selecting a plurality of pulses from the modulated optical signal to generate a pulsed envelope signal; transmitting the pulsed envelope signal via one or more optical elements; receiving a reflected signal responsive to transmitting the pulsed envelope signal; and determining a range to an object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: AURORA INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Devlin Baker, Emil Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11016197
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: AURORA INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec