Abstract: An imaging system has multiple cores that each outputs a system output signal that illuminates multiple sample regions in a field of view for the system. A first portion of the cores are each a range and velocity core and a second portion of the cores are each a velocity core. The system includes electronics that calculate a radial velocity and range for the sample regions illuminated by the range and velocity cores from the beat frequency of a composite signal generated by the range and velocity cores. The electronics also calculate a radial velocity range for the sample regions illuminated by the velocity cores from a beat frequency of a composite signal generated by the velocity cores. The electronics use the ranges calculated for the sample regions illuminated by the range and velocity cores to estimate the ranges for the velocity cores.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The imaging system has a photonic circuit chip that includes multiple cores that each includes a port through which an outgoing optical signal exits the photonic circuit chip. Each of the cores is configured such that the outgoing signal exits the photonic circuit chip traveling toward a location that is above or below the photonic circuit chip. Additionally, each of the cores is configured to combine light from one of the outgoing signals with a reference signal so as to generate a signal beating at a beat frequency. The imaging system also includes electronics that use the beat frequencies from the cores to calculate data that indicates a radial velocity and/or distance between the system and one or more objects located outside of the system.

Abstract: The imaging system includes a photonic circuit chip having multiple cores. Each of the cores includes an optical switch and multiple alternate waveguides. The optical switch in each core is configured to direct an outgoing light signal to any one of the alternate waveguides, the alternate waveguide to which the outgoing light signal is directed being an active waveguide. Each core outputs the outgoing LIDAR signal from the active waveguide while receiving an incoming LIDAR signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal, has exited from the imaging system, and has returned to the imaging system. Each core includes a signal splitter that receives the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal. The signal splitter extracts a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal that serves as a reference signal and at least a portion of the incoming LIDAR signal that serves as a comparative signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A LIDAR system is configured to output a system output signal that travels away from the LIDAR system and can be reflected by objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The system output signal has a frequency versus time pattern with a repeated cycle. Each cycle of the frequency versus time pattern includes multiple data periods configured such that the system output signal is chirped differently in different data periods. The LIDAR system also includes electronics configured to generate multiple different sets of LIDAR data. Each set of LIDAR data indicates a radial velocity and/or separation between the LIDAR system and one or more of the objects located outside of the LIDAR system. Each set of LIDAR data is generated from light that is included in the system output signal during a group of multiple data periods. The groups of data periods including one or more common data periods that are each included in two or more different groups of data periods.

Abstract: A LIDAR system outputs a system output signal such that the system output signal can be reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The system also receives a system return signal that includes light from the reflected LIDAR output signal. The system return signal and the system output signal each carries a first channel. The LIDAR system combine light that is from the system return signal and that carries the first channel with a reference signal so as to produce a composite signal beating at a beat frequency. Electronics operate the LIDAR system such that the first channel has a series of chirp cycles. Each chirp cycle includes a linear chirp section where a frequency chirp of the channel is linear. Multiple different sample periods fall within each of the linear chirp sections. The electronics calculate LIDAR data for each of the sample periods from the beat frequency of the composite signal during the sample period.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to combine a LIDAR input signal and a reference signal so as to generate a composite light signal. The LIDAR input signal includes light reflected by an object located off of the LIDAR chip. The reference signal does not include light reflected by the object. The system also includes electronics configured to use the composite light signal to approximate a radial velocity between the LIDAR chip and the object. The radial velocity is approximated from a difference between a first distance and a second distance. The first distance is the distance between the object and the LIDAR chip at a first time. The second distance is the distance between the object and the LIDAR chip at a second time.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a switch configured to direct a switch signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides. The switch signal carries multiple different channels. The system also includes one more redirection components that receive multiple different channel output signals. Each of the channel output signals carries a different one of the channels. The one more redirection components are configured to redirect the channel output signals such that a direction that each of the channel output signals travels away from the one more redirection components changes in response to a change in the alternate waveguide which receives the switch signal.

Abstract: The LIDAR chip includes a utility waveguide that guides an outgoing LIDAR signal to a facet through which the outgoing LIDAR signal exits from the chip. The chip also includes a control branch that removes a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal from the utility waveguide. The control branch includes a control light sensor that receives a light signal that includes light from the removed portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal. The chip also includes a data branch that removes a second portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal from the utility waveguide. The data branch includes a light-combining component that combines a reference light signal that includes light from the second portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal with a comparative light signal that includes light that was reflected off an object located off of the chip.