Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a first optical transmitter comprising a plurality of first emitters, where each of the plurality of first emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at a target range when energized. A second optical transmitter includes a plurality of second emitters, where each of the plurality of second emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at the target range when energized. The first and second optical transmitters are positioned relative to each other so the FOVs of at least some of the optical beams generated by the first and second optical transmitter when energized overlap at the target range. An optical receiver includes a plurality of optical detectors, where a respective one of the plurality of optical detectors is positioned to detect a respective optical beam generated by at least one of the first and second optical transmitter and reflected by a target in the FOV at the target range.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a first optical transmitter comprising a plurality of first emitters, where each of the plurality of first emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at a target range when energized. A second optical transmitter includes a plurality of second emitters, where each of the plurality of second emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at the target range when energized. The first and second optical transmitters are positioned relative to each other so the FOVs of at least some of the optical beams generated by the first and second optical transmitter when energized overlap at the target range. An optical receiver includes a plurality of optical detectors, where a respective one of the plurality of optical detectors is positioned to detect a respective optical beam generated by at least one of the first and second optical transmitter and reflected by a target in the FOV at the target range.

Abstract: A LiDAR transmitter includes a laser array comprising a plurality of lasers, each generating an optical beam at an output. A first transmission optic having a first focal length is positioned adjacent to the output of the laser array so that it projects the optical beams. A flat optic element is positioned between the output laser array and the first transmission optic and is configured to transform a shape of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. A second transmission optic having a second focal length is positioned after the first transmission optical in the direction of propagation of the optical beams that projects the optical beams with the transformed shape onto a target plane, wherein the first focal length, the second focal length, and the transformed shape of the optical beams are configured to achieve a desired optical pattern at the target plane.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength LIDAR system includes a first array of laser emitters that generate a first and second array of optical beams having a first and second wavelength, respectively. A region of free space interleaves the first array of optical beams and the second array of optical beams. An optical receiver receives a portion of light from the first array of optical beams reflected at a target plane and a portion of light from the second array of optical beams reflected at the target plane and generates a first and second plurality of wavelength signals corresponding to the received portion of light from the first and second array of optical beams, respectively.

Abstract: A solid state LIDAR transmitter with matrix-addressable laser drive circuit includes a first electrical bus that provides a first voltage potential to columns of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit and a second electrical bus that provide a second voltage potential to rows of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit. A plurality of column switches connects the plurality of columns to the first electrical bus. A plurality of row switches connects the plurality of rows to the second electrical bus. The transmitter includes a plurality of series connected diodes comprising a laser diode in series with another diode, where a respective one of the plurality of series connected diodes is electrically connected between a respective column and row of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit to form the LIDAR transmitter. At least some of the second diodes increasing an overall reverse breakdown voltage of the series connected diodes.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transmitter includes a plurality of light emitters that generate a plurality of optical beams. A first lens is positioned in an optical path of the plurality of optical beams at a distance from at least one of the plurality of light emitters that is less than a focal length of the first lens. The first lens converges the plurality of optical beams to a converged optical beam having a beam waist. A second lens is positioned in the optical path of the converged optical beam. The second lens projects the converged optical beam to a target range. The position of the second lens and an emission width of at least one of the plurality of light emitters are configured to provide a desired field-of-view of the LIDAR transmitter at the target range.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a first optical transmitter comprising a plurality of first emitters, where each of the plurality of first emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at a target range when energized. A second optical transmitter includes a plurality of second emitters, where each of the plurality of second emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at the target range when energized. The first and second optical transmitters are positioned relative to each other so the FOVs of at least some of the optical beams generated by the first and second optical transmitter when energized overlap at the target range. An optical receiver includes a plurality of optical detectors, where a respective one of the plurality of optical detectors is positioned to detect a respective optical beam generated by at least one of the first and second optical transmitter and reflected by a target in the FOV at the target range.

Abstract: A LIDAR transmitter includes a first transmitter array attached to a substrate and configured to generate a first array of laser beams. A first lens is positioned in an optical path of the first array of laser beams and configured to converge the first array of laser beams along the optical path. A second lens converges the first array of laser beams, wherein a position of a center of the second lens has a first radial offset from a center of the first transmitter array. A second transmitter array is attached to the substrate with a lateral offset from the first transmitter array and configured to generate a second array of laser beams. A third lens is configured to converge the second array of laser beams along the optical path. A fourth lens converges the second array of laser beams, wherein a position of a center of the fourth lens has a second radial offset from a center of the second transmitter array.

Abstract: A method of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) includes generating a first optical pulse that propagates towards a target and receiving an optical return signal reflected from the target resulting from the generated first optical pulse. The optical return signal is processed to determine a number of additional optical pulses desired to be propagated towards the target to meet a performance criteria. The determined number of additional optical pulses is then generated and propagated towards the target. The additional optical return signals reflected from the target are received and processed to obtain one or more LIDAR measurements.

Abstract: A solid state LIDAR transmitter with matrix-addressable laser drive circuit includes a first electrical bus that provides a first voltage potential to columns of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit and a second electrical bus that provide a second voltage potential to rows of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit. A plurality of column switches connects the plurality of columns to the first electrical bus. A plurality of row switches connects the plurality of rows to the second electrical bus. The transmitter includes a plurality of series connected diodes comprising a laser diode in series with another diode, where a respective one of the plurality of series connected diodes is electrically connected between a respective column and row of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit to form the LIDAR transmitter. At least some of the second diodes increasing an overall reverse breakdown voltage of the series connected diodes.

Abstract: A LIDAR illuminator includes a plurality of laser sources, each comprising an electrical input that receives a modulation drive signal that causes each of the plurality of laser sources to generate an optical beam. A controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, where a respective one of the plurality of electrical outputs is connected to an electrical input of a respective one of the plurality of laser sources, generates a plurality of modulation drive signals that cause the plurality of laser sources to generate a plurality of optical beams that form a combined optical beam. A peak optical energy of the combined optical beam in a measurement aperture at a measurement distance is less than a desired value.

Abstract: A method of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) includes generating a first optical pulse that propagates towards a target and receiving an optical return signal reflected from the target resulting from the generated first optical pulse. The optical return signal is processed to determine a number of additional optical pulses desired to be propagated towards the target to meet a performance criteria. The determined number of additional optical pulses is then generated and propagated towards the target. The additional optical return signals reflected from the target are received and processed to obtain one or more LIDAR measurements.

Abstract: A solid state LIDAR transmitter includes a two dimensional array of laser devices having columns and rows and configured such that anodes of laser devices in a column are connected to a common anode connection and cathodes of laser devices in a row are connected to a common cathode connection. A capacitive discharge circuit comprises a first switch configured so the capacitive discharge circuit charges to a voltage potential when the first switch is open and discharges when the first switch is closed. A second switch is configured such that the common cathode connection is coupled to ground when the second switch is closed. A controller is configured to instruct the first switch and the second switch to close at a time t0 such that the capacitive discharge circuit charges to the voltage potential at a time, t1, thereby causing a laser device connected between the capacitive discharge circuit and the second switch to generate an optical pulse.

Abstract: A LIDAR illuminator includes a laser array comprising a plurality of laser sources configured to generate an optical beam when energized and a laser driver assembly. A controller is configured to instruct the laser driver assembly to energize the plurality of laser sources based on a firing pattern rule that ensures that optical energy in a particular aperture that is positioned at a particular distance from outputs of the plurality of sources is less than a maximum permissible exposure limit corresponding to a wavelength of emission of the optical beams generated by the plurality of laser sources.

Abstract: A solid state LIDAR transmitter with matrix-addressable laser drive circuit includes a first electrical bus that provides a first voltage potential to columns of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit and a second electrical bus that provide a second voltage potential to rows of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit. A plurality of column switches connects the plurality of columns to the first electrical bus. A plurality of row switches connects the plurality of rows to the second electrical bus. The transmitter includes a plurality of series connected diodes comprising a laser diode in series with another diode, where a respective one of the plurality of series connected diodes is electrically connected between a respective column and row of the matrix-addressable laser drive circuit to form the LIDAR transmitter. At least some of the second diodes increasing an overall reverse breakdown voltage of the series connected diodes.

Abstract: A LIDAR illuminator includes a plurality of laser sources, each comprising an electrical input that receives a modulation drive signal that causes each of the plurality of laser sources to generate an optical beam. A controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, where a respective one of the plurality of electrical outputs is connected to an electrical input of a respective one of the plurality of laser sources, generates a plurality of modulation drive signals that cause the plurality of laser sources to generate a plurality of optical beams that form a combined optical beam. A peak optical energy of the combined optical beam in a measurement aperture at a measurement distance is less than a desired value.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, each illuminating a FOV in an illumination region. A transmitter controller has outputs connected to respective laser inputs. The transmitter controller generates electrical pulses at the outputs so that the lasers generate light in a desired pattern in the illumination region. An optical receiver has an input FOV in the illumination region and comprises a plurality of detectors, each having a FOV and being positioned to detect light over the illumination region; and a TOF measurement circuit that measures the TOF from the lasers to the detectors. The receiver calculates range information. An adaptive optical shutter positioned between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver has a transparent or reflected region FOV, where the optical shutter restricts illumination at the input of the optical receiver to a region which is smaller than the optical receiver FOV.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, where each of the plurality of lasers illuminates a field-of-view. A transmitter controller is configured to pulse desired ones of the plurality of lasers so that the plurality of lasers generate light in a desired illumination region. An optical receiver comprises a plurality of detectors positioned to detect light over the desired illumination region. The plurality of detectors generates an electrical detection signal. A time-of-flight measurement circuit measures the time-of-flight of light from the plurality of lasers to the plurality of detectors. The optical receiver calculates range information from the time-of-flight measurements. A receiver controller is electrically connected to the transmitter controller and is configured to bias at least some of the plurality of detectors at a bias point that achieves a desired detection signal noise level.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, each illuminating a FOV in an illumination region. A transmitter controller has outputs connected to respective laser inputs. The transmitter controller generates electrical pulses at the outputs so that the lasers generate light in a desired pattern in the illumination region. An optical receiver has an input FOV in the illumination region and comprises a plurality of detectors, each having a FOV and being positioned to detect light over the illumination region; and a TOF measurement circuit that measures the TOF from the lasers to the detectors. The receiver calculates range information. An adaptive optical shutter positioned between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver has a transparent or reflected region FOV, where the optical shutter restricts illumination at the input of the optical receiver to a region which is smaller than the optical receiver FOV.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers that generate an optical beam having a FOV. A plurality of detectors are positioned where a FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. The lens system collimates and projects the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the plurality of lasers and the lens system to cause relative motion between the plurality of lasers and the lens system in a direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens system so as to cause relative motion between the FOVs of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers and the FOVs of the detectors.