Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to variable gain amplification for a sensor application. A multistage variable gain amplifier system provides variable gain amplification of an input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system includes a plurality of amplification stages. The multistage variable gain amplifier system further includes a power detector configured to detect a power level of an input signal received by the multistage variable gain amplifier system. The multistage variable gain amplifier system also includes a controller configured to control the amplification stages based on the power level of the input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system can output an output signal such that the amplification stages are controlled to adjust a gain applied to the input signal by the multistage variable gain amplifier system to output the output signal.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to multiple beam, single mirror lidar. A multiple beam, single mirror lidar system can include a 2D MEMS mirror and a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of lidar channels, each including a transmitter and a receiver. In the photonic integrated circuit, the lidar channels are directed at a common point on the 2D MEMS mirror. The lidar channels are oriented with relative offset angles. Thus, the lidar channels output beams that are directed at the common point on the 2D MEMS mirror and are oriented with relative offset angles.

Abstract: A lidar system is described herein. The lidar system includes a transmitter that is configured to emit a frequency-modulated lidar signal. The lidar system further includes processing circuitry that is configured to compute a distance between the lidar system and an object based upon the frequency-modulated lidar signal, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a first resolution when the distance is at or beneath a predefined threshold, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a second resolution when the distance is above the predefined threshold, wherein the first resolution is different from the second resolution.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to multiple beam, single mirror lidar. A multiple beam, single mirror lidar system can include a 2D MEMS mirror and a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of lidar channels, each including a transmitter and a receiver. In the photonic integrated circuit, the lidar channels are directed at a common point on the 2D MEMS mirror. The lidar channels are oriented with relative offset angles. Thus, the lidar channels output beams that are directed at the common point on the 2D MEMS mirror and are oriented with relative offset angles.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (“LiDAR”) system includes a coherent light source that generates a frequency modulated optical signal comprising a series of optical chirps. A scanning assembly transmits the series of optical chirps in a scan pattern across a scanning region, and receives a plurality of reflected optical chirps corresponding to the transmitted optical chirps that have reflected off one or more objects located within the scanning region. A photodetector mixes the reflected optical chirps with a local oscillation (LO) reference signal comprising a series of LO reference chirps. An electronic data analysis assembly processes digital data derived from the reflected optical chirps and the LO reference chirps mixed at the photodetector to generate distance data and optionally velocity data associated with each of the reflected optical chirps.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to a testing apparatus that enables an analog frequency response of a device under test to be analyzed. The testing apparatus includes a laser source and an optical resonator. The laser source is optically injection locked to the optical resonator. The testing apparatus also includes a modulator configured to apply a time-varying voltage to the optical resonator. The time-varying voltage causes the laser source optically injection locked to the optical resonator to generate a frequency modulated optical signal that can include time-varying chirps. The testing apparatus further includes an interferometer (e.g., variable delay, fixed length) configured to receive the frequency modulated optical signal from the laser source optically injection locked to the optical resonator. The interferometer outputs an optical test signal having a range of frequencies. The frequencies in the optical test signal are based at least in part on the time-varying chirps.

Abstract: A high Q whispering gallery mode resonator with ion-implanted voids is described. A resonator device includes a resonator disk formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator disk includes a top surface, a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and a side structure between the top surface and the bottom surface. The side structure includes an axial surface along a perimeter of the resonator disk, where a midplane passes through the axial surface dividing the axial surface into symmetrical halves. The whispering gallery mode resonator disk includes voids localized at a particular depth from the top surface. At least one of the voids localized at the particular depth from the top surface is located at an outer extremity towards the perimeter of the resonator disk. The resonator device can further include a first electrode on the top surface and a second electrode on the bottom surface.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to a time of flight lidar sensor system that uses a coherent detection scheme. The lidar sensor system includes a laser source, a semiconductor optical amplifier, a combiner, and a balanced detector. The laser source emits an input optical signal. The semiconductor optical amplifier receives a first portion of the input optical signal and outputs a modulated optical signal (amplified and modulated). The combiner receives a second portion of the input optical signal and a returned optical signal received responsive to transmission of at least a portion of the modulated optical signal. The combiner coherently mixes the second portion of the input optical signal with the returned optical signal and outputs mixed optical signals. The balanced detector detects the mixed optical signals and generates an output signal (e.g., a differential photocurrent), which can be used to detect a distance to a target.

Abstract: A Lidar system, a mirror assembly for a Lidar system and method of operating the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly of the Lidar system includes a first frame and a first conductor. The first frame is rotatable about a first axis. The first conductor extends along the first frame to one side of the first axis. The first conductor extends through a first magnetic field on the one side of the first axis in a direction parallel to the first axis. A first current is passed through the first conductor to interact with the first magnetic field to induce a first rotation of the first frame about the first axis.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (“LIDAR”) system includes a coherent light source that generates a frequency modulated optical signal comprising a series of optical chirps. A scanning assembly transmits the series of optical chirps in a scan pattern across a scanning region, and receives a plurality of reflected optical chirps corresponding to the transmitted optical chirps that have reflected off one or more objects located within the scanning region. A photodetector mixes the reflected optical chirps with a local oscillation (LO) reference signal comprising a series of LO reference chirps. An electronic data analysis assembly processes digital data derived from the reflected optical chirps and the LO reference chirps mixed at the photodetector to generate distance data and optionally velocity data associated with each of the reflected optical chirps.

Abstract: A lidar system is described herein. The lidar system includes a transmitter that is configured to emit a frequency-modulated lidar signal. The lidar system further includes processing circuitry that is configured to compute a distance between the lidar system and an object based upon the frequency-modulated lidar signal, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a first resolution when the distance is at or beneath a predefined threshold, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a second resolution when the distance is above the predefined threshold, wherein the first resolution is different from the second resolution.

Abstract: A lidar system is described herein. The lidar system includes a transmitter that is configured to emit a frequency-modulated lidar signal. The lidar system further includes processing circuitry that is configured to compute a distance between the lidar system and an object based upon the frequency-modulated lidar signal, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a first resolution when the distance is at or beneath a predefined threshold, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a second resolution when the distance is above the predefined threshold, wherein the first resolution is different from the second resolution.

Abstract: A lidar system is described herein. The lidar system includes a transmitter that is configured to emit a frequency-modulated lidar signal. The lidar system further includes processing circuitry that is configured to compute a distance between the lidar system and an object based upon the frequency-modulated lidar signal, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a first resolution when the distance is at or beneath a predefined threshold, the processing circuitry configured to compute the distance with a second resolution when the distance is above the predefined threshold, wherein the first resolution is different from the second resolution.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to variable gain amplification for a sensor application. A multistage variable gain amplifier system provides variable gain amplification of an input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system includes a plurality of amplification stages. The multistage variable gain amplifier system further includes a power detector configured to detect a power level of an input signal received by the multistage variable gain amplifier system. The multistage variable gain amplifier system also includes a controller configured to control the amplification stages based on the power level of the input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system can output an output signal such that the amplification stages are controlled to adjust a gain applied to the input signal by the multistage variable gain amplifier system to output the output signal.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to variable gain amplification for a sensor application. A multistage variable gain amplifier system provides variable gain amplification of an input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system includes a plurality of amplification stages. The multistage variable gain amplifier system further includes a power detector configured to detect a power level of an input signal received by the multistage variable gain amplifier system. The multistage variable gain amplifier system also includes a controller configured to control the amplification stages based on the power level of the input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system can output an output signal such that the amplification stages are controlled to adjust a gain applied to the input signal by the multistage variable gain amplifier system to output the output signal.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to a time of flight lidar sensor system that uses a coherent detection scheme. The lidar sensor system includes a laser source, a semiconductor optical amplifier, a combiner, and a balanced detector. The laser source emits an input optical signal. The semiconductor optical amplifier receives a first portion of the input optical signal and outputs a modulated optical signal (amplified and modulated). The combiner receives a second portion of the input optical signal and a returned optical signal received responsive to transmission of at least a portion of the modulated optical signal. The combiner coherently mixes the second portion of the input optical signal with the returned optical signal and outputs mixed optical signals. The balanced detector detects the mixed optical signals and generates an output signal (e.g., a differential photocurrent), which can be used to detect a distance to a target.

Abstract: A Lidar system, a mirror assembly for a Lidar system and method of operating the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly of the Lidar system includes a first frame and a first conductor. The first frame is rotatable about a first axis. The first conductor extends along the first frame to one side of the first axis. The first conductor extends through a first magnetic field on the one side of the first axis in a direction parallel to the first axis. A first current is passed through the first conductor to interact with the first magnetic field to induce a first rotation of the first frame about the first axis.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to variable gain amplification for a sensor application. A multistage variable gain amplifier system provides variable gain amplification of an input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system includes a plurality of amplification stages. The multistage variable gain amplifier system further includes a power detector configured to detect a power level of an input signal received by the multistage variable gain amplifier system. The multistage variable gain amplifier system also includes a controller configured to control the amplification stages based on the power level of the input signal. The multistage variable gain amplifier system can output an output signal such that the amplification stages are controlled to adjust a gain applied to the input signal by the multistage variable gain amplifier system to output the output signal.

Abstract: A high Q whispering gallery mode resonator with ion-implanted voids is described. A resonator device includes a resonator disk formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator disk includes a top surface, a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and a side structure between the top surface and the bottom surface. The side structure includes an axial surface along a perimeter of the resonator disk, where a midplane passes through the axial surface dividing the axial surface into symmetrical halves. The whispering gallery mode resonator disk includes voids localized at a particular depth from the top surface. At least one of the voids localized at the particular depth from the top surface is located at an outer extremity towards the perimeter of the resonator disk. The resonator device can further include a first electrode on the top surface and a second electrode on the bottom surface.

Abstract: A coherent lidar system, a method of assembling the system and a vehicle including the system involve a light source to output a continuous wave, and a modulator to modulate a frequency of the continuous wave and provide a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal. The system includes a a splitter to split the FMCW signal to two or more paths, and two or more aperture lenses. At least one of the two or more aperture lenses is associated with each of the two or more paths and is configured to obtain a receive beam resulting from a reflection of an output signal obtained from the FMCW signal.