Abstract: In described examples, a system (e.g., a security system or a vehicle operator assistance system) is configured to configure a phased spatial light modulator (SLM) to generate a diffraction pattern. A coherent light source is optically coupled to direct coherent light upon the SLM. The SLM is configured to project diffracted coherent light toward a region of interest. An optical element is configured to focus the diffracted coherent light toward the at least one region of interest.

Abstract: A pulsed light source illuminates a scene with a virtual array of points. Light reflected by the scene is detected by a small pixel array, allowing generation of a three-dimensional map of the scene. A processing element processing data output by the small pixel array uses a multipath resolution algorithm to resolve individual objects in the scene.

Abstract: An optical distance measurement system includes a transmission circuit and a receive circuit. The transmission circuit is configured to generate narrowband intensity modulated light transmission signals over a first band of frequencies and direct the narrowband light transmission signal toward a target object. The receive circuit is configured to receive reflected light off the target object, convert the reflected light into a current signal proportional to the intensity of the reflected light, filter frequencies outside a second band of frequencies from the current signal to create a filtered current signal, and convert the filtered current signal into a voltage signal. The second band of frequencies corresponds with the first band of frequencies.

Abstract: A pulsed light source illuminates a scene with a virtual array of points. Light reflected by the scene is detected by a small pixel array, allowing generation of a three-dimensional map of the scene. A processing element processing data output by the small pixel array uses a multipath resolution algorithm to resolve individual objects in the scene.

Abstract: An optical distance measurement system includes a transmission circuit and a receive circuit. The transmission circuit is configured to generate narrowband intensity modulated light transmission signals over a first band of frequencies and direct the narrowband light transmission signal toward a target object. The receive circuit is configured to receive reflected light off the target object, convert the reflected light into a current signal proportional to the intensity of the reflected light, filter frequencies outside a second band of frequencies from the current signal to create a filtered current signal, and convert the filtered current signal into a voltage signal. The second band of frequencies corresponds with the first band of frequencies.

Abstract: An optical time of flight system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to generate a modulation signal having a modulation signal frequency that varies as a function of time, generate an optical waveform with amplitude modulation corresponding to the modulation signal, and direct the optical waveform toward a field of view (FOV). The receiver is configured to receive the optical waveform reflected off of an object within the FOV and determine a distance to the object based on a time of flight from the transmitter to the object and back to the receiver.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a transducer to receive a reference signal and a reflected signal, the reflected signal being the reference signal after being reflected of a target; a filter to generate a band-pass reference signal and a band-pass reflected signal by filtering (A) reference signal samples associated with the reference signal and (B) reflected signal samples associated with the reflected signal; a correlator to generate a first correlation by correlating the reference signal samples with the reflected signal samples and a second correlation by correlating the band-pass reference signal with the band-pass reflected signal; and a delay estimator to determine a distance to the target based on the first correlation (coarse delay) and the second correlation (fine delay) and output a signal including the distance to the target.

Abstract: Described examples include an integrated circuit having an analog-to-digital converter operable to receive an input signal derived from a light signal and convert the input signal to a digital received signal, the analog-to-digital converter operable to receive the input signal during at least one window. The integrated circuit further has a receiver operable to receive the digital received signal, the receiver operable to determine a distance estimate of an object from which the light signal is reflected based on the digital received signal. In an example, the window locations are chosen to correspond to the locations of maximum slope in the signal.

Abstract: An optical distance measuring system includes a first transmitter, a first solid state device, and a receiver. The first transmitter is configured to generate a first optical waveform. The first solid state device is configured to receive the first optical waveform and steer the first optical waveform toward a target object. The receiver is configured to receive the first optical waveform reflected off of the first target object and determine a distance to the first target object based on a time of flight from the transmitter to the first target object and back to the receiver.

Abstract: An optical transmitting system for distance measuring includes a signal generator, a laser diode coupled to the signal generator, and an optics device. The signal generator is configured to generate a first plurality of electrical signals. The laser diode is configured to generate a first plurality of optical waveforms that correspond with the first plurality of electrical signals. The optics device is configured to receive the first plurality of optical waveforms and direct the first plurality of optical waveforms toward a first plurality of scan points that form a scan region within a field of view (FOV). A first signal type, a first signal duration, a first signal amplitude, or a first signal repetition frequency of the first plurality of optical waveforms is based on a first desired range of the first plurality of scan points.

Abstract: In described examples, a system (e.g., a security system or a vehicle operator assistance system) is configured to configure a phased spatial light modulator (SLM) to generate a diffraction pattern. A coherent light source is optically coupled to direct coherent light upon the SLM. The SLM is configured to project diffracted coherent light toward a region of interest. An optical element is configured to focus the diffracted coherent light toward the at least one region of interest.

Abstract: In described examples, an integrated circuit includes a modulator configured to modulate a driving signal for an optical transmitter with a narrow band modulation signal in which the driving signal with a fixed duration is transmitted to the optical transmitter periodically. The integrated circuit also includes a demodulator configured to receive a signal from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the demodulator configured to discriminate the narrow band modulation signal and estimate a distance of the object using the narrow band modulation signal.

Abstract: A sensor circuit includes a sensor array. The sensor array includes a sensor row that includes a first sensor cell, a second sensor cell, and an output stage of a distributed amplifier circuit. The first sensor cell includes a first photodetector, and a first preamplifier stage of the distributed amplifier circuit. The first preamplifier stage is coupled to the first photodetector, and is configured to amplify a signal received from the first photodetector. The second sensor cell includes a second photodetector, and a second preamplifier stage of the distributed amplifier circuit. The second preamplifier stage is coupled to the second photodetector, and is configured to amplify a signal received from the second photodetector. The output stage of the distributed amplifier circuit is coupled to the first and second sensor cells, and is configured to amplify a signal received from the first preamplifier stage and the second preamplifier stage.

Abstract: Described example aspects include an integrated circuit includes a timing controller configured to select a selected time slot in a measurement period having a plurality of time slots and a transmit driver configured to provide a transmit signal in accordance with the selected time slot, in which the transmit signal is transmitted to an optical transmitter. The integrated circuit also includes a range estimator configured to receive a received signal after the selected time slot from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the range estimator configured to determine an estimated distance of the object based on the received signal.

Abstract: A pulsed light source illuminates a scene with a virtual array of points. Light reflected by the scene is detected by a small pixel array, allowing generation of a three-dimensional map of the scene. A processing element processing data output by the small pixel array uses a multipath resolution algorithm to resolve individual objects in the scene.

Abstract: A sensor circuit includes a sensor array. The sensor array includes a sensor row that includes a first sensor cell, a second sensor cell, and an output stage of a distributed amplifier circuit. The first sensor cell includes a first photodetector, and a first preamplifier stage of the distributed amplifier circuit. The first preamplifier stage is coupled to the first photodetector, and is configured to amplify a signal received from the first photodetector. The second sensor cell includes a second photodetector, and a second preamplifier stage of the distributed amplifier circuit. The second preamplifier stage is coupled to the second photodetector, and is configured to amplify a signal received from the second photodetector. The output stage of the distributed amplifier circuit is coupled to the first and second sensor cells, and is configured to amplify a signal received from the first preamplifier stage and the second preamplifier stage.

Abstract: An optical distance measuring system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to generate a first optical waveform and direct the first optical waveform toward a first scan point within a field of view (FOV). The receiver is configured to receive the first optical waveform reflected off a first object within the FOV, direct the first optical waveform reflected off the first object to a first photodiode group of an array of photodiode elements, and determine a distance to the first object based on a time of flight of the first optical waveform from the transmitter to the first object and back to the receiver.

Abstract: Described examples include an integrated circuit that includes an encoder configured to modulate a driving signal for an optical transmitter with a plurality of encoded pulses corresponding to a code, in which the driving signal is transmitted to the optical transmitter periodically. The integrated circuit also includes a demodulator configured to receive a received signal from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the demodulator configured to discriminate the plurality of encoded pulses in the received signal and estimate a distance of the object.

Abstract: Described example aspects include an integrated circuit includes a timing controller configured to select a selected time slot in a measurement period having a plurality of time slots and a transmit driver configured to provide a transmit signal in accordance with the selected time slot, in which the transmit signal is transmitted to an optical transmitter. The integrated circuit also includes a range estimator configured to receive a received signal after the selected time slot from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the range estimator configured to determine an estimated distance of the object based on the received signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine an accurate distance to a target using reference signal interpolation is disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interpolator to receive a first sample of a reference signal and a second sample of a reference signal; and interpolating a reconstructed reference signal sample based on the first and second samples, the reconstructed reference signal corresponding to the reference signal; a correlator to generate a plurality of phase-shifted, reconstructed reference signals; and correlate each of the plurality of phase-shifted, reconstructed reference signals with a reflected signal; and an optimal phase selector to determine an optimal phase based on the correlations and output a distance to a target based on the optimal phase.