Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems related to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) are described. In one example aspect, a LIDAR apparatus includes a light emitter configured to generate, according to a first electrical pulse signal, a pulse light signal. The first electrical pulse signal comprises a first set of non-uniformly spaced pulses. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to convert returned light signals from the object into electrical signals and a filtering subsystem in communication with the receiver, configured to receive the electrical signals from the receiver and remove a point from a set of points representing at least a partial surface of the object as noise by determining whether there is a coherence between the point and corresponding neighboring points of the point along at least a first direction and a second direction of the set of points.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that implement a dual axis resonant scanning mirror to support a sensor system such as a LIDAR system. The scanning mirror may comprise: 1) a small dual axis mirror, in which each axis is moving by similar electromagnetic mechanisms can generate crosstalk between each of these electromagnetic mechanisms causing perturbations in the motion; 2) a primary axis that may need to be driven independently of the motion of a secondary axis and vice versa; 3) an optical position sensor; 4) a scanning mirror assembly that may be mounted to a scanner base via the secondary axis. The scanning mirror assembly may comprise resonant spring, resonant spring assembly, the rocking chair (with electromagnetic drive coils), the scanner base with a set of two secondary axis propulsion magnets, the mirror with a spacer and primary axis propulsion magnets, and the optical sense board.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for configuring architectures for a sensor, and more particularly for light detection and ranging (hereinafter, “LIDAR”) systems based on ASIC sensor architectures supporting autonomous navigation systems. Effective ASIC sensor architecture can enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment and avoid any unnecessary delay within the decision-making process that may result in a failure of the autonomous driving system. It may be essential to integrated multiple functions within an electronic module and implement the functionality with one or more ASICs.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems related to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) are described. In one example aspect, a LIDAR apparatus includes a light emitter configured to generate, according to a first electrical pulse signal, a pulse light signal. The first electrical pulse signal comprises a first set of non-uniformly spaced pulses. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to convert returned light signals from the object into electrical signals and a filtering subsystem in communication with the receiver, configured to receive the electrical signals from the receiver and remove a point from a set of points representing at least a partial surface of the object as noise by determining whether there is a coherence between the point and corresponding neighboring points of the point along at least a first direction and a second direction of the set of points.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three-dimensional (3-D) LIDAR measurements with multiple illumination beams scanned over a 3-D environment are described herein. In one aspect, illumination light from each LIDAR measurement channel is emitted to the surrounding environment in a different direction by a beam scanning device. The beam scanning device also directs each amount of return measurement light onto a corresponding photodetector. In some embodiments, a beam scanning device includes a scanning mirror rotated in an oscillatory manner about an axis of rotation by an actuator in accordance with command signals generated by a master controller. In some embodiments, the light source and photodetector associated with each LIDAR measurement channel are moved in two dimensions relative to beam shaping optics employed to collimate light emitted from the light source. The relative motion causes the illumination beams to sweep over a range of the 3-D environment under measurement.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that implement a dual axis resonant scanning mirror to support a sensor system such as a LIDAR system. The scanning mirror may comprise: 1) a small dual axis mirror, in which each axis is moving by similar electromagnetic mechanisms can generate crosstalk between each of these electromagnetic mechanisms causing perturbations in the motion; 2) a primary axis that may need to be driven independently of the motion of a secondary axis and vice versa; 3) an optical position sensor; 4) a scanning mirror assembly that may be mounted to a scanner base via the secondary axis. The scanning mirror assembly may comprise resonant spring, resonant spring assembly, the rocking chair (with electromagnetic drive coils), the scanner base with a set of two secondary axis propulsion magnets, the mirror with a spacer and primary axis propulsion magnets, and the optical sense board.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for configuring architectures for a sensor, and more particularly for light detection and ranging (hereinafter, “LIDAR”) systems based on ASIC sensor architectures supporting autonomous navigation systems. Effective ASIC sensor architecture can enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment and avoid any unnecessary delay within the decision-making process that may result in a failure of the autonomous driving system. It may be essential to integrated multiple functions within an electronic module and implement the functionality with one or more ASICs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for generating, processing and correlating data from multiple sensors in an autonomous navigation system, and more particularly to the utilization of configurable and dynamic sensor modules within light detection and ranging systems that enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for generating, processing and correlating data from multiple sensors in an autonomous navigation system, and more particularly to the utilization of configurable and dynamic sensor modules within light detection and ranging systems that enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems related to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) are described. In one example aspect, a LIDAR apparatus includes a light emitter configured to generate, according to a first electrical pulse signal, a pulse light signal. The first electrical pulse signal comprises a first set of non-uniformly spaced pulses. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to convert returned light signals from the object into electrical signals and a filtering subsystem in communication with the receiver, configured to receive the electrical signals from the receiver and remove a point from a set of points representing at least a partial surface of the object as noise by determining whether there is a coherence between the point and corresponding neighboring points of the point along at least a first direction and a second direction of the set of points.

Abstract: A series of laser pulses in a pulse train, each pulse with a beneficial temporal power shape instead of the conventional laser temporal power shape, scribes a line in a thin film of material on a substrate. The beneficial temporal pulse shape has a spike/plateau chair shape or a square pulse shape. Scribing a line in the thin film is achieved by placing the series of laser pulse spots on the line to be scribed such that there is an overlapping area between adjacent laser pulse spots along the line. The use of a series of laser pulses with beneficial pulse shape to scribe a line in the thin film results in a better quality and cleaner scribing process compared to that achieved with the conventional pulse shape.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic device includes a substrate and a first conductive layer coupled to the substrate. The first conductive layer includes at least one first groove extending through a first portion of the first conductive layer to a portion of the substrate. The device also includes at least one semiconductor layer coupled to a remaining portion of the first conductive layer and the portion of the substrate. The at least one semiconductor layer includes a plurality of non-overlapping vias, each via extending through a portion of the at least one semiconductor layer to a portion of the first conductive layer. The device further includes a second conductive layer coupled to a remaining portion of the at least one semiconductor layer and portions of the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer includes at least one second groove extending through a portion of the second conductive layer to a portion of the at least one semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic device includes a substrate and a first conductive layer coupled to the substrate. The first conductive layer includes at least one first groove extending through a first portion of the first conductive layer to a portion of the substrate. The device also includes at least one semiconductor layer coupled to a remaining portion of the first conductive layer and the portion of the substrate. The at least one semiconductor layer includes a plurality of non-overlapping vias, each via extending through a portion of the at least one semiconductor layer to a portion of the first conductive layer. The device further includes a second conductive layer coupled to a remaining portion of the at least one semiconductor layer and portions of the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer includes at least one second groove extending through a portion of the second conductive layer to a portion of the at least one semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A series of laser pulses in a pulse train, each pulse with a beneficial temporal power shape instead of the conventional laser temporal power shape, scribes a line in a thin film of material on a substrate. The beneficial temporal pulse shape has a spike/plateau chair shape or a square pulse shape. Scribing a line in the thin film is achieved by placing the series of laser pulse spots on the line to be scribed such that there is an overlapping area between adjacent laser pulse spots along the line. The use of a series of laser pulses with beneficial pulse shape to scribe a line in the thin film results in a better quality and cleaner scribing process compared to that achieved with the conventional pulse shape.

Abstract: A series of laser pulses in a pulse train, each pulse with a predetermined temporal power shape, scribes a line in a thin film of material on a substrate. The predetermined temporal pulse shape has a fast risetime and fast falltime and a pulse length between 10% power points of less than 10 ns. Scribing a line in the thin film is achieved by placing the series of laser pulse spots on the line to be scribed such that there is some overlapping area between adjacent laser pulse spots along the line. The use of a series of laser pulses with the predetermined pulse shape to scribe a line in the thin film results in a better quality and cleaner scribing process compared to that achieved with a conventional pulse shape.

Abstract: A series of laser pulses in a pulse train, each pulse with a predetermined temporal power shape, scribes a line in a thin film of material on a substrate. The predetermined temporal pulse shape has a fast risetime and fast falltime and a pulse length between 10% power points of less than 10 ns. Scribing a line in the thin film is achieved by placing the series of laser pulse spots on the line to be scribed such that there is some overlapping area between adjacent laser pulse spots along the line. The use of a series of laser pulses with the predetermined pulse shape to scribe a line in the thin film results in a better quality and cleaner scribing process compared to that achieved with a conventional pulse shape.

Abstract: A sealed integrating reflective enclosure contains a laser diode, coupling optic, and input ends of transport fibers. A detector is positioned to capture stray scattered radiation emanating from the laser diode emitters and rear facets, coupling optic and transport fiber input ends. The detector is positioned such that stray radiation undergoes at least one reflection within the enclosure before being detected by the detector. The detector can be positioned inside the integrating enclosure, or outside the integrating enclosure opposite a detection hole that is sealed by a translucent diffuser or window. The reflected integrated light detected by the detector is an accurate indication of the optical output generated by the laser diode and coupled into the transport fibers.

Abstract: A composite laser diode enclosure, and a method of making the same, having a first enclosure sealed within a second enclosure. Each enclosure having a thermally conductive base plate, a side wall band attached to the base plate, and a lid attached to the side wall band to hermetically seal each enclosure. The materials forming the side wall band and lids are selected so that high quality metallurgical bonds are formed between the base plates and the side wall bands, and between the side wall bands and the lids. The first enclosure contains a laser diode, coupling optics, and input ends of optical fibers for delivering the laser diode output out of the enclosures. The second enclosure contains the first enclosure, TE coolers, thermistors, and a PC board with an optical detector, E-prom, interlock circuit and voltage protection circuit. Thermistors monitor the temperature of each enclosure.