Abstract: A lidar system that includes a laser source and transmits laser pulses produced by the laser source toward range points in a field of view via a mirror that scans through a plurality of scan angles can use (1) a laser energy model to model the available energy in the laser source over time and (2) a mirror motion model to model motion of the mirror over time. The mirror can exhibit a variable scan amplitude, and a control circuit can then evaluate whether benefits such as a shorter completion time for firing laser pulse shots at a list of range points can be achieved by changing the mirror's scan amplitude. When making such decisions, the control circuit can take into account a settle time for the variable amplitude mirror that arises from changing the mirror's scan amplitude.

Abstract: A lidar receiver that includes a photodetector circuit can be controlled so that the detection intervals used by the lidar receiver to detect returns from fired laser pulse shots are closely controlled. Such control over the detection intervals used by the lidar receiver allows for close coordination between a lidar transmitter and the lidar receiver where the lidar receiver is able to adapt to variable shot intervals of the lidar transmitter (including periods of high rate firing as well as periods of low rate firing).

Abstract: A lidar receiver can employ multiple processors to distribute the workload of processing returns from laser pulse shots.

Abstract: A lidar system that includes a laser source and transmits laser pulses produced by the laser source toward range points in a field of view can use a laser energy model to model the available energy in the laser source over time. The timing schedule for laser pulses fired by the lidar system can then be determined using energies that are predicted for the different scheduled laser pulse shots based on the laser energy model. This permits the lidar system to reliably ensure at a highly granular level that each laser pulse shot has sufficient energy to meet operational needs, including when operating during periods of high density/high resolution laser pulse firing. The laser energy model is capable of modeling the energy available for laser pulses in the laser source over very short time intervals (such as 10-100 nanoseconds).

Abstract: A lidar system that includes a laser source and transmits laser pulses produced by the laser source toward range points in a field of view via a mirror that scans through a plurality of scan angles can use (1) a laser energy model to model the available energy in the laser source over time and (2) a mirror motion model to model motion of the mirror over time. Time slots for transmitting the targeted laser pulses can be identified using the mirror motion model, and a schedule for these pulses can be determined using energies predicted for the pulses at these time slots according to the laser energy model. Linking the model of mirror motion with the model of laser energy provides highly precise granularity when scheduling laser pulses targeted at specific range points in the field of view.

Abstract: A lidar system that includes a laser source and transmits laser pulses produced by the laser source toward range points in a field of view via a mirror that scans through a plurality of scan angles can use (1) a laser energy model to model the available energy in the laser source over time and (2) a mirror motion model to model motion of the mirror over time. Time slots for transmitting the targeted laser pulses can be identified using the mirror motion model, and a schedule for these pulses can be determined using energies predicted for the pulses at these time slots according to the laser energy model. Linking the model of mirror motion with the model of laser energy provides highly precise granularity when scheduling laser pulses targeted at specific range points in the field of view.

Abstract: A lidar system that includes a laser source and transmits laser pulses produced by the laser source toward range points in a field of view can use a laser energy model to model the available energy in the laser source over time. The timing schedule for laser pulses fired by the lidar system can then be determined using energies that are predicted for the different scheduled laser pulse shots based on the laser energy model. This permits the lidar system to reliably ensure at a highly granular level that each laser pulse shot has sufficient energy to meet operational needs, including when operating during periods of high density/high resolution laser pulse firing. The laser energy model is capable of modeling the energy available for laser pulses in the laser source over very short time intervals (such as 10-100 nanoseconds).

Abstract: A lidar system that includes a laser source and a scannable mirror can be controlled to maximize the firing of laser pulse shots per scan line of the scannable mirror. For example, a control circuit for the lidar system can (1) process a pool of range points to be targeted with a plurality of shots from the laser source, (2) schedule shots for a single scan of the mirror along the first axis in a given scan direction to target as many of the range points from the pool as permitted by a laser energy model as compared to a plurality of energy requirements relating to the shots, and (3) control a firing of the scheduled shots during the single scan of the mirror in the given scan direction so that the scheduled shots are fired into the field of view toward the targeted range points via the mirror.

Abstract: A laser and amplifier combination delivers a sequence of optical pulses at a predetermined pulse-repetition frequency PRF. An interferometer generates a signal representative of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the pulses at intervals corresponding to the PRF. The signal includes frequency components from DC to the PRF. The signal is divided into high and low frequency ranges. The high and low frequency ranges are sent to independent high frequency and low frequency control electronics, which drive respectively a high-frequency CEP controller and a low frequency controller for stabilizing the CEP of pulses in the sequence.

Abstract: A laser and amplifier combination delivers a sequence of optical pulses at a predetermined pulse-repetition frequency PRF. An interferometer generates a signal representative of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the pulses at intervals corresponding to the PRF. The signal includes frequency components from DC to the PRF. The signal is divided into high and low frequency ranges. The high and low frequency ranges are sent to independent high frequency and low frequency control electronics, which drive respectively a high-frequency CEP controller and a low frequency controller for stabilizing the CEP of pulses in the sequence.

Abstract: A laser and amplifier combination delivers a sequence of optical pulses at a predetermined pulse-repetition frequency PRF. An interferometer generates a signal representative of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the pulses at intervals corresponding to the PRF. The signal includes frequency components from DC to the PRF. The signal is divided into high and low frequency ranges. The high and low frequency ranges are sent to independent high frequency and low frequency control electronics, which drive respectively a high-frequency CEP controller and a low frequency controller for stabilizing the CEP of pulses in the sequence.