Patents by Inventor Jonathan LUFF
Jonathan LUFF 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).
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Patent number: 11782134Abstract: The optical manifold has multiple cores that each generates an outgoing LIDAR signal that carries one or more channels. Scanning heads are located apart from the manifold. Each scanning head is associated with one of the cores and is configured such that each scanning head receives an outgoing LIDAR signal from the associated core. The scanning heads are each configured to transmit one or more LIDAR output signals that each carries light from a different one of the channels and such that the different LIDAR output signals each travels away from the scanning head in a different direction. Each of the cores is associated with different core electronics. The core electronics are configured to tune a property of one of the outgoing LIDAR signals such that the tuning of the property causes a change to the direction that the one or more LIDAR output signals travel away from the scanning head associated with the core electronics.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Dazeng Feng, Bradley Jonathan Luff, Majid Boloorian
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Publication number: 20230251360Abstract: The LIDAR system includes a first transform component configured to perform a complex mathematical transform on first signals. The LIDAR system also includes a second transform component configured to perform a real mathematical transform on second signals. Electronics are configured to use an output of the first transform component in combination with an output of the second transformation component to generate LIDAR data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Mehdi Asghari
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Publication number: 20230251378Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source that outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal that includes multiple different channels. The LIDAR system also generate multiple composite light signals that each carries a signal couple and are each associated with a different one of the channels. A signal couple includes a reference signal and an associated comparative signal. The comparative signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The reference signals also include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but also exclude light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system. There is a frequency differential between a frequency of the reference signal and a frequency of the associated comparative signal. The frequency differential includes a contribution from a frequency offset that is induced by electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Majid Boloorian, Mehdi Asghari, Dazeng Feng, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11714194Abstract: A LIDAR system has a transmitter that outputs a system output signal from the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that control a frequency of the system output signal over a series of cycles. The cycles include multiple data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a first rate during a first one of the data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a second rate during a second one of the data periods. The second rate is different from the first rate.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Majid Boloorian, Mehdi Asghari, Bradley Jonathan Luff, Nirmal Chindhu Warke
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Patent number: 11714240Abstract: An on-chip optical switch based on an echelle grating and a phase tuning element is described herein. The phase tuning element may change a refractive index of the material through which an optical signal propagates, thereby causing a change in the angle of propagation of the optical signal. By dynamically tuning the phase change element, the refractive index change may be controlled such that the deviation of the optical signal causes the optical signal to be focused on a particular coupling waveguide out of an array of coupling waveguides. The echelle grating with the active phase change element form a configurable optical switch capable of switching an optical signal between two or more coupling waveguides, that may be respectively connected to different optical signal processing pathways.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shuren Hu, Amir Hanjani, Chen Chen, Mehdi Asghari, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11714167Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured that outputs a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR system also includes a LIDAR adapter that receives the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR chip and also outputs the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR system and toward a sample region in a field of view. The LIDAR adapter also receives a LIDAR return signal that includes light from the LIDAR output signal after the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located in the sample region. The LIDAR output signal and the LIDAR return signal travel the same optical pathway between the LIDAR adapter and the object. The LIDAR adapter is also configured to output a LIDAR input signal that is received by the LIDAR chip and includes or consists of light from the LIDAR return signal. The LIDAR input signal and the LIDAR output signal travel different optical pathways between the LIDAR adapter and the LIDAR chip.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dazeng Feng, Mehdi Asghari, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11703598Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip includes a redirection component and alternate waveguides. The redirection component receives an outgoing LIDAR signal from any one of multiple alternate waveguides. The LIDAR output signal includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal. A direction that the LIDAR output signal travels away from the LIDAR chip is a function of the alternate waveguide from which the redirection component receives the outgoing LIDAR signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Mehdi Asghari
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Patent number: 11698448Abstract: The LIDAR system includes a first transform component configured to perform a complex mathematical transform on first signals. The LIDAR system also includes a second transform component configured to perform a real mathematical transform on second signals. Electronics are configured to use an output of the first transform component in combination with an output of the second transformation component to generate LIDAR data. The electronics are further configured to use a peak in the output of the first transform component to identify the peak in the output of the second transform component that is located at the beat frequency of the second signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Mehdi Asghari
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Patent number: 11681021Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an emitter head configured to receive LIDAR output signals from one or more LIDAR chips and to output head output signals that each includes light from one of the LIDAR output signals. The emitter head is movable relative to the one or more LIDAR chips. The one or more LIDAR chips are configured to receive LIDAR input signals that each includes light from one of the head output signals. The LIDAR input signals include LIDAR data indicating the distance and/or radial velocity between a LIDAR chip and an object.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies. Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11650317Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source that outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal that includes multiple different channels. The LIDAR system also generate multiple composite light signals that each carries a signal couple and are each associated with a different one of the channels. A signal couple includes a reference signal and an associated comparative signal. The comparative signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The reference signals also include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but also exclude light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system. There is a frequency differential between a frequency of the reference signal and a frequency of the associated comparative signal. The frequency differential includes a contribution from a frequency offset that is induced by electronics.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Majid Boloorian, Mehdi Asghari, Dazeng Feng, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11635491Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip that generates a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip includes a utility waveguide configured to carry one or more light signals selected from an outgoing LIDAR signal and an incoming LIDAR signal. The system also includes an amplifier that has an amplifier waveguide with a first facet and a second facet. The amplifier being positioned such that the first facet is optically aligned with a facet of the utility waveguide but the second facet is not optically aligned with any waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Dazeng Feng, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11624807Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to generate a LIDAR output signal that exits from a waveguide on the LIDAR chip. The system also includes optics that receive the LIDAR output signal from the waveguide. Electronics are configured to tune an image distance at which the LIDAR output signal is focused after exiting from the optics.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Dazeng Feng, Mehdi Asghari
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Patent number: 11624943Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output a source signal. The LIDAR chip is also configured to output a LIDAR output signal that exits from the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR system also includes an isolator adapter that includes an optical isolator configured to receive an adapter signal. The adapter signal includes light that is from the source signal and that has exited from the LIDAR chip before being received by the optical isolator. The isolator is configured to output light from the adapter signal in an isolator output signal. Additionally, the LIDAR output signal includes light from the isolator output signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Monish Sharma
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Patent number: 11624810Abstract: Multiple LIDAR output signals are generated and are concurrently directed to the same sample region in a field of view. The LIDAR output signals have one or more optical diversities selected from a group consisting of wavelength diversity, polarization diversity, and diversity of an angle of incidence of the LIDAR output signal relative to the sample region.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Dazeng Feng, Mehdi Asghari
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Publication number: 20230069201Abstract: A LIDAR system has a beam steering mechanism and a signal steering mechanism that are each configured to steer within a field of view a system output signal that is output from the LIDAR system. A path of system output signal in the field of view has a contribution from the beam steering mechanism and the second mechanism. The contribution of the beam steering mechanism to the path is movement of the system output signal on a two-dimensional path back and forth across the field of view. The contribution of the signal steering mechanism to the path is movement of the system output signal transverse to the two-dimensional path contribution of the provided by the beam steering mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Nirmal Warke, Prakash Koonath, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11579305Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR assembly configured to output a LIDAR output signal that carries multiple different channels. A directional component has an optical grating that receives the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR assembly. The directional component demultiplexes the LIDAR output signal into multiple LIDAR output channels that each carries a different one of the channels. The directional component is configured to steer a direction that the LIDAR output channels travel away from the LIDAR system.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11581703Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to optical light sources, such as an external cavity laser (ECL) with an active phase shifter. The system may include control circuitry for controlling one or more parameters associated with the active phase shifter. The phase shifter may be a p-i-n phase shifter. The control circuitry may cause variation in a refractive index associated with the phase shifter, thereby varying a lasing frequency of the ECL. The ECL may be configured to operate as a light source for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system based on generating frequency modulated light signals. In some embodiments, the ECL may generate an output LIDAR signal with alternating segments of increasing and decreasing chirp frequencies. The ECL may exhibit increased stability and improved chirp linearities with less dependence on ambient temperature fluctuations.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Amir Ali Tavallaee, Behnam Behroozpour, Bradley Jonathan Luff, Mehdi Asghari
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Publication number: 20230040355Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output a source signal. The LIDAR chip is also configured to output a LIDAR output signal that exits from the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR system also includes an isolator adapter that includes an optical isolator configured to receive an adapter signal. The adapter signal includes light that is from the source signal and that has exited from the LIDAR chip before being received by the optical isolator. The isolator is configured to output light from the adapter signal in an isolator output signal. Additionally, the LIDAR output signal includes light from the isolator output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Bradley Jonathan Luff, Monish Sharma
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Publication number: 20220413224Abstract: An on-chip optical switch based on an echelle grating and a phase tuning element is described herein. The phase tuning element may change a refractive index of the material through which an optical signal propagates, thereby causing a change in the angle of propagation of the optical signal. By dynamically tuning the phase change element, the refractive index change may be controlled such that the deviation of the optical signal causes the optical signal to be focused on a particular coupling waveguide out of an array of coupling waveguides. The echelle grating with the active phase change element form a configurable optical switch capable of switching an optical signal between two or more coupling waveguides, that may be respectively connected to different optical signal processing pathways.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Shuren Hu, Amir Hanjani, Chen Chen, Mehdi Asghari, Bradley Jonathan Luff
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Patent number: 11536805Abstract: An optical system has a LIDAR chip that includes a switch configured to direct an outgoing LIDAR signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides. The system also includes a redirection component configured to receive the outgoing LIDAR signal from any one of the alternate waveguides. The redirection component is also configured to redirect the received outgoing LIDAR signal such that a direction that the outgoing LIDAR signal travels away from the redirection component changes in response to changes in the alternate waveguide to which the optical switch directs the outgoing LIDAR signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Dazeng Feng, Bradley Jonathan Luff