Abstract: A lidar comprises a first laser source configured to generate a first laser output at a first frequency and a second laser source configured to generate a second laser output at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. A combining coupler combines the first laser output and the second laser output into a combined output. The combined output is carried by an optical fiber to a fiber tip where the combined output is transmitted as a transmit signal toward a target. A reflected portion of the transmit signal reflected back from a point on the target is received. A mixing coupler mixes the received reflected portion of the transmit signal with a second portion of the combined output and outputs a mixed signal. A wavelength filter separates the mixed signal into a first mixed signal corresponding to the first frequency of the first laser source and a second mixed signal corresponding to the second frequency of the second laser source.

Abstract: A lidar comprises a first laser source configured to generate a first laser output at a first frequency and a second laser source configured to generate a second laser output at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. A combining coupler combines the first laser output and the second laser output into a combined output. The combined output is carried by an optical fiber to a fiber tip where the combined output is transmitted as a transmit signal toward a target. A reflected portion of the transmit signal reflected back from a point on the target is received. A mixing coupler mixes the received reflected portion of the transmit signal with a second portion of the combined output and outputs a mixed signal. A wavelength filter separates the mixed signal into a first mixed signal corresponding to the first frequency of the first laser source and a second mixed signal corresponding to the second frequency of the second laser source.

Abstract: A laser radar, or “lidar” system, employs an asymmetric single-ended detector to detect received signals reflected back from targets. The asymmetric single-ended detector benefits from a reduced part count and fewer optical splices while nearly achieving a same gain as a symmetric differential detector.

Abstract: A lidar comprises a first laser source configured to generate a first laser output at a first frequency and a second laser source configured to generate a second laser output at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency. A combining coupler combines the first laser output and the second laser output into a combined output. The combined output is carried by an optical fiber to a fiber tip where the combined output is transmitted as a transmit signal toward a target. A reflected portion of the transmit signal reflected back from a point on the target is received. A mixing coupler mixes the received reflected portion of the transmit signal with a second portion of the combined output and outputs a mixed signal. A wavelength filter separates the mixed signal into a first mixed signal corresponding to the first frequency of the first laser source and a second mixed signal corresponding to the second frequency of the second laser source.

Abstract: Various implementations of the invention, improve an optical efficiency of an optical path comprising a polarizing beam splitter and a quarter wave plate. In some implementations of the invention, where an additional optical component introduces a phase retardance into the optical path, the quarter wave plate may be adjusted away from its nominal orientation relative to the optical path to improve an optical efficiency of the optical path.

Abstract: A laser radar, or “lidar” system, employs an asymmetric single-ended detector to detect received signals reflected back from targets. The asymmetric single-ended detector benefits from a reduced part count and fewer optical splices while nearly achieving a same gain as a symmetric differential detector.

Abstract: A laser radar, or “lidar” system, employs an asymmetric single-ended detector to detect received signals reflected back from targets. The asymmetric single-ended detector benefits from a reduced part count and fewer optical splices while nearly achieving a same gain as a symmetric differential detector.