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 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 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 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 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 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 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.