Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that can adjust the performance of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) in order to compensate for changing environmental and/or manufacturing conditions. In some embodiments, the changing environmental and/or manufacturing conditions may cause a reduction in beta of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in the TIA. A low beta may result in a high base current for the BJT causing the output voltage of the TIA to be formatted as an unusable signal output. To compensate for the low beta, the TIA generates an intermediate signal voltage, based on the base current and beta that is compared with the PN junction bias voltage on another BJT. Based on the comparison, the state of a digital state machine may be incremented, and a threshold base current is determined. This threshold base current may decide whether to compensate the operation of the TIA, or discard the chip.

Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.

Abstract: A receiver includes a decision circuit, a circuit to adjust an input signal of the decision circuit, a correction circuit and a control circuit. The decision circuit makes a data decision based on an input signal of the decision circuit. The circuit to adjust the input signal of the decision circuit adjusts the input signal of the decision circuit based on an input correction signal. The correction circuit combines a plurality of signals corresponding to different input correction parameters into a preliminary input correction signal. An input of the correction circuit is coupled to an output of the decision circuit. The control circuit maps the preliminary input correction signal into the input correction signal using a nonlinear code mapping.

Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.

Abstract: A single-ended receiver is coupled to an input-output (I/O) pin of a command and address (CA) bus. The receiver is configurable with dual-mode I/O support to operate the CA bus in a low-swing mode and a high-swing mode. The receiver is configurable to receive a first command on the I/O pin while in the high-swing mode, initiate calibration of the slave device to operate in the low-swing mode in response to the first command, switch the slave device to operate in the low-swing mode while the CA bus remains active, and to receive a second command on the I/O pin while in the low-swing mode.

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 and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that can adjust the performance of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) in order to compensate for changing environmental and/or manufacturing conditions. In some embodiments, the changing environmental and/or manufacturing conditions may cause a reduction in beta of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in the TIA. A low beta may result in a high base current for the BJT causing the output voltage of the TIA to be formatted as an unusable signal output. To compensate for the low beta, the TIA generates an intermediate signal voltage, based on the base current and beta that is compared with the PN junction bias voltage on another BJT. Based on the comparison, the state of a digital state machine may be incremented, and a threshold base current is determined. This threshold base current may decide whether to compensate the operation of the TIA, or discard the chip.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that create a capacitive link based on a rotating cylinder capacitor. A cylindrical rotor rotates around a shaft and maintains an air gap between the cylindrical rotor and the shaft and to create one or more air gap capacitors. A first subsystem, comprising a light detection and ranging components, is coupled to the rotor. A second sub-subsystem, comprising data analysis functions, is coupled to the shaft. The first subsystem and the second subsystem are coupled via capacitive links created by the air gap capacitors. The communication signaling utilized on the capacitive links may be bi-directional and differential signaling. The first subsystem and the second subsystem may comprise a LIDAR light detection and ranging system. The second subsystem may power the first subsystem via inductive coupling.

Abstract: A receiver includes a decision circuit, a circuit to adjust an input signal of the decision circuit, a correction circuit and a control circuit. The decision circuit makes a data decision based on an input signal of the decision circuit. The circuit to adjust the input signal of the decision circuit adjusts the input signal of the decision circuit based on an input correction signal. The correction circuit combines a plurality of signals corresponding to different input correction parameters into a preliminary input correction signal. An input of the correction circuit is coupled to an output of the decision circuit. The control circuit maps the preliminary input correction signal into the input correction signal using a nonlinear code mapping.

Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that detect an electromagnetic signal in a constant interference environment. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic signal is a light signal. A constant interference detector may detect false signal “hits” generated by constant interference, such as bright light saturation, from valid signals. The constant interference detector determines if there is constant interference for a time period that is greater than a time period of the valid signal. In one embodiment, if a received signal exceeds a programmable threshold value for a programmable period of time, when compared to previously stored ambient light, a control signal is generated to inform the next higher network layer of a sudden change in ambient light. This control signal can be used to either discard the present return or process the signal in a different way. A constant interference detector may be a component of a LIDAR system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that create a capacitive link based on a rotating cylinder capacitor. A cylindrical rotor rotates around a shaft and maintains an air gap between the cylindrical rotor and the shaft and to create one or more air gap capacitors. A first subsystem, comprising a light detection and ranging components, is coupled to the rotor. A second sub-subsystem, comprising data analysis functions, is coupled to the shaft. The first subsystem and the second subsystem are coupled via capacitive links created by the air gap capacitors. The communication signaling utilized on the capacitive links may be bi-directional and differential signaling. The first subsystem and the second subsystem may comprise a LIDAR light detection and ranging system. The second subsystem may power the first subsystem via inductive coupling.

Abstract: A single-ended receiver is coupled to an input-output (I/O) pin of a command and address (CA) bus. The receiver is configurable with dual-mode I/O support to operate the CA bus in a low-swing mode and a high-swing mode. The receiver is configurable to receive a first command on the I/O pin while in the high-swing mode, initiate calibration of the slave device to operate in the low-swing mode in response to the first command, switch the slave device to operate in the low-swing mode while the CA bus remains active, and to receive a second command on the I/O pin while in the low-swing mode.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that create a capacitive link based on a rotating cylinder capacitor. A cylindrical rotor rotates around a shaft and maintains an air gap between the cylindrical rotor and the shaft and to create one or more air gap capacitors. A first subsystem, comprising a light detection and ranging components, is coupled to the rotor. A second sub-subsystem, comprising data analysis functions, is coupled to the shaft. The first subsystem and the second subsystem are coupled via capacitive links created by the air gap capacitors. The communication signaling utilized on the capacitive links may be bi-directional and differential signaling. The first subsystem and the second subsystem may comprise a LIDAR light detection and ranging system. The second subsystem may power the first subsystem via inductive coupling.

Abstract: A receiver includes a decision circuit, a circuit to adjust an input signal of the decision circuit, a correction circuit and a control circuit. The decision circuit makes a data decision based on an input signal of the decision circuit. The circuit to adjust the input signal of the decision circuit adjusts the input signal of the decision circuit based on an input correction signal. The correction circuit combines a plurality of signals corresponding to different input correction parameters into a preliminary input correction signal. An input of the correction circuit is coupled to an output of the decision circuit. The control circuit maps the preliminary input correction signal into the input correction signal using a nonlinear code mapping.

Abstract: A single-ended receiver is coupled to an input-output (I/O) pin of a command and address (CA) bus. The receiver is configurable with dual-mode I/O support to operate the CA bus in a low-swing mode and a high-swing mode. The receiver is configurable to receive a first command on the I/O pin while in the high-swing mode, initiate calibration of the slave device to operate in the low-swing mode in response to the first command, switch the slave device to operate in the low-swing mode while the CA bus remains active, and to receive a second command on the I/O pin while in the low-swing mode.

Abstract: A receiver includes a decision circuit, a circuit to adjust an input signal of the decision circuit, a correction circuit and a control circuit. The decision circuit makes a data decision based on an input signal of the decision circuit. The circuit to adjust the input signal of the decision circuit adjusts the input signal of the decision circuit based on an input correction signal. The correction circuit combines a plurality of signals corresponding to different input correction parameters into a preliminary input correction signal. An input of the correction circuit is coupled to an output of the decision circuit. The control circuit maps the preliminary input correction signal into the input correction signal using a nonlinear code mapping.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.