Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a ranging operation are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, a controller, and a code storage. The controller can obtain a first code from the code storage, determine, from the first code, first timing information and first amplitude information of a corresponding first group of one or more signals, and control the transmitter circuit to transmit the first group of one or more signals based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information. The controller can configure a matched filter based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information, identify return signals of the first group of one or more signals based on processing received signals using the configured matched filter, and perform a ranging operation based on the identified return signals and the first group of one or more signals.

Abstract: A method for operating a LiDAR system in an automobile that can include receiving noise data corresponding to an ambient noise level, receiving false positive data corresponding to a rate of false positive object detection occurrences; determining an object detection range spanning a distance defined by a minimum range of object detection and a maximum range of object detection for the LiDAR system; generating an object detection threshold value for detecting objects based on the noise data and the rate of false positive data; applying the object detection threshold value to each of a plurality of range values within the object detection range; and applying a gain sensitivity profile to the object detection threshold value at each of a plurality of range values.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus is part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module and comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and a controller. The receiver circuit comprises a photodetector configured to convert a light signal into a photocurrent signal. The controller is configured to: transmit, using the transmitter circuit, a first light signal; receive, using the photodetector of the receiver circuit, a second light signal; determine whether the second light signal includes a scatter signal coupled from the transmitter circuit, and a reflected first light signal; and based on whether the second light signal includes the scatter signal and the reflected first light signal, determine a time-of-flight of the first light signal based on one of: a width of the second light signal, or a time difference between the transmission of the first light signal and the reception of the second light signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for improving the probability of detection and the probability of false alarm of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. A receiver of the LiDAR system is configured to obtain a noise signal vector for an operation condition and determine the coefficients of a matched filter based on the noise signal vector. The matched filter is used to filter a returned signal vector corresponding to returned light detected by the receiver. The receiver detects an object in the field of view of the LiDAR system based on identifying, in the returned signal vector filtered by the matched filter, a pulse having a peak higher than a threshold value. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to determine the threshold value based on the noise signal vector, energy of the transmitted signal, and a desired false alarm rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a ranging operation are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, a controller, and a code storage. The controller can obtain a first code from the code storage, determine, from the first code, first timing information and first amplitude information of a corresponding first group of one or more signals, and control the transmitter circuit to transmit the first group of one or more signals based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information. The controller can configure a matched filter based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information, identify return signals of the first group of one or more signals based on processing received signals using the configured matched filter, and perform a ranging operation based on the identified return signals and the first group of one or more signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for improving the probability of detection and the probability of false alarm of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. A receiver of the LiDAR system is configured to obtain a noise signal vector for an operation condition and determine the coefficients of a matched filter based on the noise signal vector. The matched filter is used to filter a returned signal vector corresponding to returned light detected by the receiver. The receiver detects an object in the field of view of the LiDAR system based on identifying, in the returned signal vector filtered by the matched filter, a pulse having a peak higher than a threshold value. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to determine the threshold value based on the noise signal vector, energy of the transmitted signal, and a desired false alarm rate.

Abstract: A method for operating a LiDAR system in an automobile that can include receiving noise data corresponding to an ambient noise level, receiving false positive data corresponding to a rate of false positive object detection occurrences; determining an object detection range spanning a distance defined by a minimum range of object detection and a maximum range of object detection for the LiDAR system; generating an object detection threshold value for detecting objects based on the noise data and the rate of false positive data; applying the object detection threshold value to each of a plurality of range values within the object detection range; and applying a gain sensitivity profile to the object detection threshold value at each of a plurality of range values.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for operating a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system in an automobile provides a more accurate range estimate by combining multiple processed waveforms which are weighted according to their signal to noise ratios. At least one waveform is transmitted within a first time period, and reflected of an object. The reflected waveform is received and processed to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR). The processing produces a higher number of output waveforms, such as through processing convolution. The SNR for each of the output waveforms is determined. An estimated range to the object from each output waveform is determined. The estimated ranges are then weighted according to their SNRs, and combined to provide an final determined range to the object.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that included a reference generator to receive a differential input signal and generate reference voltages having same common mode as the differential input signal. A replica bias generator is used to generate a bias signal based on the reference voltages. A comparator is used to compare the input signals to threshold voltages that are based at least in part on the bias signal.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that included a reference generator to receive a differential input signal and generate reference voltages having same common mode as the differential input signal. A replica bias generator is used to generate a bias signal based on the reference voltages. A comparator is used to compare the input signals to threshold voltages that are based at least in part on the bias signal.

Abstract: This invention provides a data bit redundancy method and apparatus that permits the replacement of faulty bitlines on a data bit basis as opposed to a column address basis. This invention provides a semiconductor memory device having memory cells arranged in columns and rows. Normal local data lines are connected to a global data line via a first switch. A redundant memory data line is connected to the global data line via a second switch. A control generating first and second control signals are coupled to the respective first and second switches for operating the switch in response to a status of a fuse component, whereby when the fuse is intact the normal data lines are connected to the global data line and when the fuse is blown the redundant data lines are connected to the global data line, thus not requiring additional redundancy address decoding circuitry.