Abstract: An electronic device with a first region and a second region located around the first region is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first gate driver and a second gate driver disposed in the second region, and a first transistor and a second transistor disposed in the first region. The first gate driver is used for outputting a first signal. The second gate driver is used for outputting a second signal. The first transistor is used for receiving the first signal from the first gate driver. The second transistor is used for receiving the second signal from the second gate driver. In a top view of the electronic device, the first region has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and the first gate driver and the second gate driver are located more adjacent to the first side and away from the second side.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems to vary waveforms across frames in lidar systems. The described lidar system transmits signals with different waveforms for the same pixel of consecutive frames to avoid a return signal overlapping with a noise spike or a frequency component of another return signal. The different waveforms can be formed using different frequency modulations, different amplitude modulations, or a combination thereof for the same pixel of consecutive frames. The lidar system can change the waveform of the transmit signal for the same pixel of a subsequent frame automatically or in response to determining that a signal-to-noise ratio of the return signal of an initial frame is below a threshold value. In this way, the lidar system can increase the signal-to-noise ratios in return signals. These improvements allow the lidar system to increase its accuracy in determining the characteristics of objects that reflected the return signals.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are disclosed to improve detection probability of time of flight lidar systems by generating real-time background signals for individual pixels of a sensor of the lidar detection system and use the background signals to dynamically control the detection system of the lidar. The background signals, that indicate the amount of background light received by different pixels, are used for controlling the detection system by adjusting at least one of the optical system, the sensor, and the readout system of the detection system in order to reduce the impact of the back ground light on the detection and range finding functionality of the lidar.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are disclosed to improve the reliability and accuracy of a time of flight lidar systems by generating real-time background signals for individual pixels of a sensor of the lidar detection system and use the background signals to generate confidence signals. The confidence signal indicates validity of a return signal or a probability that the return signal is not associated with interference with another lidar or light source. The confidence signals may be used by the lidar system to reduce the false alarm rate of the lidar.

Abstract: An electronic device including a panel, a Chip on Film and a flexible circuit board is disclosed. The panel includes a first gate driver, a switch transistor and a driving transistor. An output terminal of the switch transistor is coupled to a control terminal of the driving transistor. The first gate driver is used for receiving an AC signal and a DC signal and outputting a control signal to a control terminal of the switch transistor. The Chip on Film is electrically connected to the panel and used for transmitting a data signal to an input terminal of the switch transistor and transmitting the AC signal to the first gate driver. The flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the panel and used for transmitting a power signal to an input terminal of the driving transistor and transmitting the DC signal to the first gate driver.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems to alternate power-level scanning for ToF lidar systems. The described lidar system transmits an initial signal having a first power level of an alternating pattern of power levels. The initial signal is associated with an initial pixel of consecutive pixels. The lidar system then transmits a subsequent signal, which is associated with a subsequent pixel of the consecutive pixels, having a second power level. The transmission of the initial signal and the subsequent signal with the alternating pattern of power levels limits a total power level emitted by the lidar system during a time interval to comply with safety regulations. The alternating pattern of power levels also permits the lidar system to switch between a long-detection range and a short-detection range for consecutive pixels.

Abstract: Provided is a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) device and a silicon photomultiplier based LiDAR. The SiPM device includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region. In the first sub-region, the photodiode is operated with a first internal gain. In the second sub-region, the photodiode is operated with a second internal gain and the second internal gain in smaller than the first internal gain. A first anode generates current from the first sub-region in response to a low flux event, and the second anode generates current from the second sub-region in response to a high flux event. A common cathode outputs current generated from the first sub-region or the second sub-region.

Abstract: Provided are methods for Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM)-based sensor for low-level fusion, which can include mitigating a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor processing path to provide high-confidence, low-level fusion between the camera (passive) and LiDAR (active) imaging. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a low-cost readout module for a lidar system. The low-cost readout module includes a timing readout path and an intensity readout path, which are coupled to a receive channel of the lidar system. The timing readout path generates time-sensitive information using a threshold-triggered timing circuit, which can include a time-to-digital converter. The intensity readout path generates non-time-sensitive information using a hold-and-sample circuit, which can include a hold circuit and an analog-to-digital converter. By utilizing the threshold-triggered timing circuit to provide time-sensitive data and the hold-and-sample circuit to provide non-time-sensitive information, the readout module can have a lower cost than other readout modules that utilize a high-performance analog-to-digital converter for each receive channel.

Abstract: An electronic device including a panel, a Chip on Film and a flexible circuit board is disclosed. The panel includes a first gate driver, a switch transistor and a driving transistor. An output terminal of the switch transistor is coupled to a control terminal of the driving transistor. The first gate driver is used for receiving an AC signal and a DC signal and outputting a control signal to a control terminal of the switch transistor. The Chip on Film is electrically connected to the panel and used for transmitting a data signal to an input terminal of the switch transistor and transmitting the AC signal to the first gate driver. The flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the panel and used for transmitting a power signal to an input terminal of the driving transistor and transmitting the DC signal to the first gate driver.

Abstract: Various measurement systems and methods are disclosed to enable characterizing the optical characteristics of light beams emitted by a light detection and range finding (LIDAR) system or sensor and evaluating the range finding function of user selected lidar channels while the lidar operates under a real operational condition and is exposed to a range of user defined environmental conditions.

Abstract: Various measurement systems and methods are disclosed to enable characterizing the optical characteristics of light beams emitted by a light detection and range finding (LIDAR) system or sensor and evaluating the range finding function of user selected lidar channels while the lidar operates under a real operational condition and is exposed to a range of user defined environmental conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) device and a silicon photomultiplier based LiDAR. The SiPM device includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region. In the first sub-region, the photodiode is operated with a first internal gain. In the second sub-region, the photodiode is operated with a second internal gain and the second internal gain in smaller than the first internal gain. A first anode generates current from the first sub-region in response to a low flux event, and the second anode generates current from the second sub-region in response to a high flux event. A common cathode outputs current generated from the first sub-region or the second sub-region.

Abstract: Provided are methods for Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM)-based sensor for low-level fusion, which can include mitigating a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor processing path to provide high-confidence, low-level fusion between the camera (passive) and LiDAR (active) imaging. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems to increase the dynamic range of time-of-flight (ToF) lidar systems. The described lidar system adjusts, based on the energy of a first return pulse, the bias voltage of a photodetector for other return pulses of the object pixel. The bias voltage can be adjusted down for highly-reflective or close-range objects. Similarly, the bias voltage can be increased for low-reflectivity or long-range objects. The ability of the described lidar system to adjust the bias voltage of the photodetector for each object pixel increases the dynamic range of the lidar system without additional hardware or a complex readout. The increased dynamic range allows the described lidar system to maintain a long-range capability, while accurately measuring return-pulse intensity for detecting close-range or highly-reflective objects.

Abstract: A display panel including a first current source and a first pixel unit is provided. The first pixel unit includes a first switch and a first light-emitting diode. The first switch is coupled to the first current source and receives a first scan signal. When the first scan signal is enabled, the first switch is turned on and receives a first current provided by the first current source. The first light-emitting diode is coupled to the first switch. When the first switch is turned on, the first current passes through the first light-emitting diode to turn on the first light-emitting diode.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided, which is for coupling to another electronic device in a side-by-side manner, and the electronic device includes a substrate, a first thermal dissipation sheet and a thermal dissipation element. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface. The first thermal dissipation sheet is disposed on the first surface. The thermal dissipation element is disposed on the substrate. The first thermal dissipation sheet is disposed between the thermal dissipation element and the substrate, and the thermal dissipation element at least partially overlaps the first thermal dissipation sheet.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and computer program products for a LiDAR with an increased dynamic range. The method includes filtering output pulses of an SiPM device to a substantially symmetric pulse shape and capturing timing information and intensity information of the filtered output pulses for at least one predetermined intensity level. The method includes monitoring saturation of the SiPM device, wherein a width of a saturation plateau of a respective output pulse is determined in response to saturation of the SiPM device. The method also includes extrapolating additional timing information and additional intensity information of the respective output pulse using the captured timing information, the captured intensity information, and the determined width of the saturation plateau.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure enable lidar systems to operate as fast-scanning FMCW lidar systems. The fast-scanning lidar system alternates chirp patterns frame by frame as a way to increase scanning speed, without adding additional hardware. Each consecutive pair of frames includes a frame with a long chirp pattern with multiple chirps and a frame with a short chirp pattern with as few as a single chirp, which is derived from the long chirp pattern assuming a constant object velocity between frames. The chirp pattern applied to each pixel is consistent within each frame but different from one frame to the next. The combined duration of two consecutive frames is less than the combined duration of two consecutive frames of a traditional FMCW lidar system that uses the same chirp pattern from one frame to the next. The shorter duration increases frame rate, scanning speed, or overall throughput of the fast-scanning lidar system.

Abstract: Provided are methods for Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM)-based sensor for low-level fusion, which can include mitigating a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor processing path to provide high-confidence, low-level fusion between the camera (passive) and LiDAR (active) imaging. Systems and computer program products are also provided.