Abstract: A driver circuit includes: a first node connected to a first signal line; a first switch transistor provided between a first power supply and a first capacitor; a second switch transistor provided between a second power supply and a second capacitor; a third switch transistor provided between the first capacitor and the first node; and a fourth switch transistor provided between the second capacitor and the first node.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit having an optical phased array, where the optical phased array includes multiple unit cells. Each unit cell includes (i) an antenna element configured to transmit or receive optical signals and (ii) a phase modulator configured to modify phases of the optical signals being transmitted or received by the antenna element. The apparatus also includes a gyroscopic sensor configured to sense movement of the photonic integrated circuit, where at least a portion of the gyroscopic sensor is integrated within the photonic integrated circuit.

Abstract: A light sensor and a ranging method are provided. The light sensor includes a light source, a sensing sub-pixel, and a control circuit. The sensing sub-pixel includes a diode. The control circuit operates the diode in a Geiger mode or an avalanche linear mode. The control circuit includes a time-to-digital converter, and the time-to-digital converter includes a counting circuit. The counting circuit includes a plurality of counting units. When the time-to-digital converter receives a sensing signal provided by the sensing sub-pixel, the control circuit generates a plurality of count values according to the sensing signal through the counting units of the counting circuit, where the count values are histogram data corresponding to a distance sensing result.

Abstract: An apparatus include a motor, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner is coupled to the motor, and the motor is configured to rotate the first scanner at a first angular velocity about a rotation axis to deflect a first beam incident in a third plane on the first scanner into a first plane different from the third plane. The second scanner is coupled to the motor, and the motor is configured to rotate the second scanner at a second angular velocity different from the first angular velocity about the rotation axis to deflect a second beam incident in the third plane on the second scanner into a second plane different from the third plane.

Abstract: An optical system for collecting distance information within a field is provided. The optical system may include lenses for collecting photons from a field and may include lenses for distributing photons to a field. The optical system may include lens tubes that collimate collected photons, optical filters that reject normally incident light outside of the operating wavelength, and pixels that detect incident photons. The optical system may further include illumination sources that output photons at an operating wavelength.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for encoding pulses of light for LiDAR scanning. The system includes a sequence generator, a light source, a modulator, a light detector, a correlator, and a microprocessor. The sequence generator generates a sequence code that the modulator encodes into a pulse of light from the light source. The encoded pulse of light illuminates a surface of an object, in which scattered light from the encoded light pulse is detected. The correlator correlates the scattered light with the sequence code that outputs a peak value associated with a time that the pulse of light is received. The microprocessor is configured to determine a time difference between transmission and reception of the pulse of light based on whether the amplitude of the peak exceeds the threshold value. The microprocessor calculates a distance to the surface of the object based on the time difference.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light detection and range (LIDAR) device includes an array of light transmitting and receiving (TX/RX) units arranged to sense a physical range associated with a target. Each of the light TX/RX units includes a mounting board having a light pass-through opening and a light emitter mounted adjacent to the light pass-through opening. The light emitter is configured to emit a light beam towards the target according to a transmitting path. The LIDAR device further includes a light detector positioned behind the mounting board to receive at least a portion of the light beam reflected from the target through the light pass-through opening according to a light receiving path. The light transmitting path and the light receiving path are substantially in parallel and close to each other.

Abstract: An environmental capture system (ECS) captures image data and depth information in a 360-degree scene. The captured image data and depth information can be used to generate a 360-degree scene. The ECS comprises a frame, a drive train mounted to the frame, and an image capture device coupled to the drive train to capture, while pointed in a first direction, a plurality of images at different exposures in a first field of view (FOV) of the 360-degree scene. The ECS further comprises a depth information capture device coupled to the drive train. The depth information capture device and the image capture device are rotated by the drive train about a first, substantially vertical, axis from the first direction to a second direction. The depth information capture device, while being rotated from the first direction to the second direction, captures depth information for a first portion of the 360-degree scene.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include a receiver layer, a transmitter layer coupled to the receiver layer through an adhesive layer in a first direction, and one or more optics. The transmitter layer may receive, at a first side of the transmitter layer, a transmit signal from a laser source, and transmit the transmit signal through the one or more optics. The receiver layer may receive, through the one or more optics, a return signal reflected by an object in an environment of the vehicle, and output the return signal at a first side of the receiver layer. The first side of the transmitter layer and the first side of the receiver layer may be apart from and parallel to each other in a second direction crossing the first direction.

Abstract: A distance measurement device includes: a mirror disposed so as to be tilted relative to a rotation center axis; a drive unit configured to rotate the mirror about the rotation center axis; a photodetector configured to detect reflected light, of laser light, reflected in a distance measurement region; and a condensing lens disposed on the rotation center axis and configured to condense the reflected light reflected by the mirror, on the photodetector. The mirror has a shape elongated in one direction and is disposed such that a short axis thereof is tilted relative to the rotation center axis in a direction parallel to a plane including the rotation center axis. A width in a short-axis direction of the mirror is smaller than a width of a lens portion of the condensing lens as viewed in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a first optical source to generate a first optical beam transmitted towards an output lens, a second optical source to generate a second optical beam transmitted towards the output lens, wherein the first optical beam and the second optical beam generate a first beam pattern, and a light detection sensor to detect a second beam pattern at an image plane, wherein the second beam pattern comprises a shift in the first or second optical beam from the first beam pattern. The LIDAR system further includes alignment optics disposed between the light detection sensor and the first optical source and the second optical source, the alignment optics including one or more optical components adjustable to shift the first and second optical beams at the image plane to align with the first beam pattern.

Abstract: A computing system may operate a LIDAR device to emit and detect light pulses in accordance with a time sequence including standard detection period(s) that establish a nominal detection range for the LIDAR device and extended detection period(s) having durations longer than those of the standard detection period(s). The system may then make a determination that the LIDAR detected return light pulse(s) during extended detection period(s) that correspond to particular emitted light pulse(s). Responsively, the computing system may determine that the detected return light pulse(s) have detection times relative to corresponding emission times of particular emitted light pulse(s) that are indicative of one or more ranges. Given this, the computing system may make a further determination of whether or not the one or more ranges indicate that an object is positioned outside of the nominal detection range, and may then engage in object detection in accordance with the further determination.

Abstract: LiDAR system and methods discussed herein use a dispersion element or optic that has a refraction gradient that causes a light pulse to be redirected to a particular angle based on its wavelength. The dispersion element can be used to control a scanning path for light pulses being projected as part of the LiDAR's field of view. The dispersion element enables redirection of light pulses without requiring the physical movement of a medium such as mirror or other reflective surface, and in effect further enables at least portion of the LiDAR's field of view to be managed through solid state control. The solid state control can be performed by selectively adjusting the wavelength of the light pulses to control their projection along the scanning path.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining whether to process a job request. An example, method can include a device emitting a first pulse using a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system coupled to an autonomous vehicle. The device can receive a first signal reflected off of an object. The device can emit a second pulse using the system, a threshold time interval being configured for the second laser pulse to hit the object in motion. The device can receive a second signal reflected off of the object. The device can determine a first time of flight information of the first signal and a second time of flight information of the second signal. The device can determine a velocity of the object based at least in part on the first time of flight information and the second time of flight information.

Abstract: A distance information acquisition device includes: a light emitter which emits light according to an emission pulse indicating emission; a solid-state imaging element which performs exposure according to an exposure pulse indicating exposure; an emission/exposure controller which generates a timing signal indicating a plurality of pairs of the emission pulse and the exposure pulse having a time difference that is different in each of the plurality of pairs; and a multipath detector which obtains a sequence of received light signals from the solid-state imaging element by the emission and the exposure that correspond to each of the plurality of pairs, compares the obtained sequence of received light signals and reference data created in advance as a model of a sequence of received light signals in a multipath-free environment, and determines the presence or absence of multipath according to a difference in a comparison result.

Abstract: A method for estimating the distance between a vehicle and an authentication device, the vehicle including a computer and a plurality of communication modules capable of communicating with the device over a wireless communication link, each communication module including an electronic clock that defines the sampling frequency of the signals received from the device. The method includes in particular the steps of addition of noise to a response signal received from the device, of sampling of the noisy response signal, of detection, at a second instant, of the noisy response signal when the amplitude of the noisy response signal exceeds a predetermined detection threshold, of calculation of the time that has elapsed between a first instant and the second instant, and of estimation of the distance between the vehicle and the device based on the calculated time.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.

Abstract: A chirped illumination LIDAR system having a transmitter that may include a pulsed radiation illuminator that is followed by a beam forming optics. The transmitter may be configured to output, during each illumination period of a sub-group of illumination periods, a first plurality of radiation pulses that form a decimated chirp sequence of radiation pulses; the decimated chirp sequence is a sparse representation of a chirp signal. A receiver of the system may be configured to receive, during each reception period of a sub-group of reception periods, one or more received light pulses from one or more objects that were illuminated by the one or more radiation pulses transmitted during each illumination period.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for analyzing noise data for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The system includes a communication interface configured to sequentially receive noise data of the LiDAR in time windows, at least one storage device configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. Exemplary operations include determining an estimated noise value of a first time window using the noise data received in the first time window and determining an instant noise value of a second time window using the noise data received in the second time window. The second time window is immediately subsequent to the first time window. The operations also include determining an estimated noise value of the second time window by aggregating the estimated noise value of the first time window and the instant noise value of the second time window.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for a laser projection device configured to perform trajectory optimization. The device includes a power source configured to supply power to a power amplifier; a laser projector configured to emit a laser beam towards a surface of an object; a trajectory control module configured to calculate one or more parameters for a projection trajectory of the laser beam; a beam steering unit configured to control a direction of the laser beam; and wherein the power amplifier is operably coupled to the beam steering unit, wherein the output of the power amplifier is based at least in part on the calculated one or more parameters. Also provided are embodiments for a method of operating a laser projection device configured to perform trajectory optimization.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a plurality of light sources of a Lidar is provided. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of mounting units held by a base structure and a fixation component that is disposed away from the base structure along a longitudinal direction of a mounting unit, the base structure and the fixation component configured to allow an adjustment of the plurality of mounting units along a horizontal direction. The plurality of the mounting units includes structures that accept the plurality of the light sources and control directions of light beams emitted by the plurality of light sources along a vertical direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, and computer-readable media for detecting lanes and objects in image frames of a monocular camera. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising receiving a plurality of images; identifying a horizon in the plurality of images by inputting the plurality of images into a deep learning (DL) model (either stored on a local device or via a network call); determining one or more camera parameters based on the horizon; and storing or using the camera parameters to initialize a camera.

Abstract: A method of determining a temporal position of a received signal within a sample series is disclosed. The method includes sampling a sensor at a sampling frequency to generate the sample series. A matched filter set of matched filters is applied to the sample series to generate a matched filter correlation set of matched filter correlations, wherein impulse responses of respective matched filters correspond to a template signal at the sampling frequency of the sensor shifted by a sub-interval shift. The matched filter correlations are evaluated to determine a received signal sub-interval shift. The temporal position of the received signal within the sample series is determined based on at least the received signal sub-interval shift.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing, a mount configured to be coupled to a motor to horizontally move the apparatus, a wide-angle lens coupled to the housing, the wide-angle lens being positioned above the mount thereby being along an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being the axis along which the apparatus rotates, an image capture device within the housing, the image capture device configured to receive two-dimensional images through the wide-angle lens of environment, and a LiDAR device within the housing, the LiDAR device configured to generate depth data based on the environment.

Abstract: Optical sensing apparatus (20) includes an array (28) of emitters (50), which emit pulses of optical radiation at different, respective times in response to a control input applied to the array. A receiver (26) includes a plurality of detectors (40), which output signals indicative of times of arrival of photons at the detectors. Optics (30, 32) project the optical radiation from the emitters onto respective locations in a scene and image the respective locations onto corresponding pixels of the receiver. A controller (44) controls the emitters to emit the output pulses in a predefined spatio-temporal sequence, and collects and processes the signals output by corresponding pixels in synchronization with the spatio-temporal sequence so as to measure respective times of flight of the pulses to and from the respective locations in the scene.

Abstract: A light detection device detects incident light according to a detection start timing. The light detection device includes photosensors, a signal combining circuit, a detection circuit, a time measurement circuit, and a timing extraction circuit. The photosensors receive light to generate output signals indicating light reception results, respectively. The signal combining circuit sums output signals from the respective photosensors to generate a combined signal. The detection circuit detects a timing at which the combined signal reaches a first threshold or larger to generate a detection signal. The time measurement circuit measures a count period between the detection start timing and the detected timing based on the detection signal. The timing extraction circuit extracts timing information from a predetermined period defined by the detected timing as a reference, the timing information indicating a timing at which the combined signal increases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a number of example embodiments that employ controllable delays between successive ladar pulses in order to discriminate between “own” ladar pulse reflections and “interfering” ladar pulses reflections by a receiver. Example embodiments include designs where a sparse delay sum circuit is used at the receiver and where a funnel filter is used at the receiver. Also, disclosed are techniques for selecting codes to use for the controllable delays as well as techniques for identifying and tracking interfering ladar pulses and their corresponding delay codes. The use of a ladar system with pulse deconfliction is also disclosed as part of an optical data communication system.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a time-of-flight imaging apparatus having circuitry configured to: demodulate, in a normal operation mode for determining a distance to a scene, at a predetermined number of phase locations a modulated light sensing signal representing modulated light reflected from the scene, thereby generating imaging frames for determining the distance to the scene, and apply, during the normal operation mode, a phase sweep by shifting the predetermined number of phase locations, thereby generating phase sweep frames for determining a cyclic error.

Abstract: A subpixel including at least one second-conductivity-type pinned photodiode layer that forms a p-n junction with a substrate semiconductor layer, at least one floating diffusion region, and at least one transfer gate stack structure. The at least one transfer gate stack structure may at least partially laterally surround the at least one second-conductivity-type pinned photodiode layer with a total azimuthal extension angle in a range from 240 degrees to 360 degrees around a geometrical center of the second-conductivity-type pinned photodiode layer. The at least one transfer gate stack structure may include multiple edges that overlie different segments of a periphery of the at least one second-conductivity-type pinned photodiode layer, and the floating diffusion region includes a portion located between the first edge and the second edge. In addition, multiple transfer gate stack structures and multiple floating diffusion regions may be present in the subpixel.

Abstract: A Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system may include: a transmitter configured to output pulse laser; a reflecting mirror comprising two or more reflecting surfaces to reflect the pulse laser; a driver configured to rotate the reflecting mirror; a path control mirror configured to reflect the pulse laser to the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting mirror to form an optical path of the pulse laser; and a receiver configured to receive the light reflected through the reflecting mirror, and convert the received light into an electrical signal, wherein the reflecting mirror comprises: a first reflecting surface; and a second reflecting surface, wherein the first and second reflecting surfaces are connected to each other at one point, the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface have different tilt angles from each other, and the first reflecting surface is tilted in the opposite direction of the second reflecting surface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for field operations based on historical field operation data. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a field map generator to generate a field map including locations of a plurality of crop rows, the locations of the plurality of crop rows determined based on a first implement path travelled by a first implement of a first vehicle during a first operation, the first implement having a first operational width, the first implement path different from a first vehicle path of the first vehicle during the first operation, and a guidance line generator to generate a guidance line for a second vehicle during a second operation on the field, the second vehicle including a second implement to perform the second operation, the second implement having a second operational width different from the first operational width, the guidance line based on (a) the field map and (b) the second operational width.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of determining a distance to an object based on reflected light provided by a reflection of pulsed light on the object has detectors configured to detect reception light to measure times from an emission of the pulsed light to detections of the reception light; and processing circuitry configured to determine a duration in which the reflected light is received based on the times, determine, based on one of the times in the duration, a reception timing of the reflected light included in the reception light, and determine the distance from the electronic apparatus to the object according to the reception timing of the reflected light.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for multi-detector LIDAR and methods. An example method may include emitting, by a light emitter of a LIDAR system, a first light pulse. The example method may also include activating a first light detector of the LIDAR system at a first time, the first time corresponding a time when return light corresponding to the first light pulse would be within a first field of view of the first light detector.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a first polygon scanner, a second polygon scanner, and an optic. The first polygon scanner includes a plurality of first facets around an axis of rotation. The second polygon scanner includes plurality of second facets that are outward from the plurality of first facets relative to the axis of rotation. The optic is inward from the first polygon scanner relative to the axis of rotation. The optic is configured to output a first beam to the first polygon scanner. The first polygon scanner is configured to refract the first beam to output a second beam to the second polygon scanner. The second polygon scanner is configured to refract the second beam to output a third beam.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three-dimensional (3-D) LIDAR measurements with multiple illumination beams scanned over a 3-D environment are described herein. In one aspect, illumination light from each LIDAR measurement channel is emitted to the surrounding environment in a different direction by a beam scanning device. The beam scanning device also directs each amount of return measurement light onto a corresponding photodetector. In some embodiments, a beam scanning device includes a scanning mirror rotated in an oscillatory manner about an axis of rotation by an actuator in accordance with command signals generated by a master controller. In some embodiments, the light source and photodetector associated with each LIDAR measurement channel are moved in two dimensions relative to beam shaping optics employed to collimate light emitted from the light source. The relative motion causes the illumination beams to sweep over a range of the 3-D environment under measurement.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, where each of the plurality of lasers illuminates a field-of-view. A transmitter controller is configured to pulse desired ones of the plurality of lasers so that the plurality of lasers generate light in a desired illumination region. An optical receiver comprises a plurality of detectors positioned to detect light over the desired illumination region. The plurality of detectors generates an electrical detection signal. A time-of-flight measurement circuit measures the time-of-flight of light from the plurality of lasers to the plurality of detectors. The optical receiver calculates range information from the time-of-flight measurements. A receiver controller is electrically connected to the transmitter controller and is configured to bias at least some of the plurality of detectors at a bias point that achieves a desired detection signal noise level.

Abstract: What is proposed is a method for optically measuring distances, in the case of which a first plurality of measuring pulses is emitted during a first measuring interval by means of a transmitting element of a transmitting unit at first emitting times, and wherein a second plurality of measuring pulses is emitted during a second measuring interval by means of the transmitting element of the transmitting unit at second emitting times. The method comprises the reception of reflected measuring pulses by means of a receiving element of a receiving unit assigned to the transmitting element at receiving times. The method further comprises the determining of a first amount of times-of-flight for each received measuring pulse, wherein the first amount of times-of-flight is determined by using the first emitting times.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an energy rate limiter, an electro-optical transmitter, and an energy monitor. The energy rate limiter limits energy transfer, based on an energy control signal, from a power supply to the energy storage module. The energy storage module is charged based on the energy transfer from the power supply. The electro-optical transmitter includes lasers coupled to local energy storage module. Laser firings of the lasers are based on an electrical potential of the energy storage module and laser enable signals corresponding to the lasers. The energy monitor is coupled to the energy storage module and triggers a safety alarm signal if a voltage provided by the energy storage module violates a safety condition related to a threshold voltage. The energy rate limiter terminates the energy transfer from the power supply to the local energy storage module after the safety condition is violated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a range estimation system for the optical sensing system, and a method for the optical sensing system. The exemplary optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit a laser pulse towards an object. The optical sensing system further includes a range estimation system configured to estimate a range between the object and the optical sensing system. The range estimation system includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to generate a plurality of pulse samples based on the laser pulse returned from the object. The returned laser pulse has a substantially triangular waveform including a rising edge and a falling edge. The range estimation system further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate synthesized pulse samples on the substantially triangular waveform based on the pulse samples.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a low-cost readout module for a lidar system. The low-cost readout module includes a timing readout path and an intensity readout path, which are coupled to a receive channel of the lidar system. The timing readout path generates time-sensitive information using a threshold-triggered timing circuit, which can include a time-to-digital converter. The intensity readout path generates non-time-sensitive information using a hold-and-sample circuit, which can include a hold circuit and an analog-to-digital converter. By utilizing the threshold-triggered timing circuit to provide time-sensitive data and the hold-and-sample circuit to provide non-time-sensitive information, the readout module can have a lower cost than other readout modules that utilize a high-performance analog-to-digital converter for each receive channel.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning system includes a light source. The light source is configured to transmit a pulse of light. The LiDAR scanning system also includes a beam steering apparatus configured to steer the pulse of light in at least one of vertically and horizontally along an optical path. The beam steering apparatus is further configured to concurrently collect scattered light generated based on the light pulse illuminating an object in the optical path. The scattered light is coaxial or substantially coaxial with the optical path. The LiDAR scanning system further includes a light converging apparatus configured to direct the collected scattered light to a focal point. The LiDAR scanning system further includes a light detector, which is situated substantially at the focal point. In some embodiments, the light detector can include an array of detectors or detector elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating two-dimensional (2D) images of an environment are provided. The systems includes a measurement device and a processor configured to generate a 2D image of an environment based at least in part on a number of 2D scans, a first translation value, a first translation direction, a second translation value, a second translation direction, a first rotation value, and a second rotation value. Generating the 2D image further includes generating a grid map that includes a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells indicating a probability of a cell area being occupied.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system and apparatus including a photonics chip mounted to a substrate, the photonics chip including one or more optical components and one or more electrical components and one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips mounted to the photonics chip to process an electrical signal generated by the one or more optical components and the one or more electrical components, wherein the one or more IC chips are physically separated from the substrate to reduce crosstalk on the LIDAR apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a LiDAR assembly. The LiDAR assembly includes a central LiDAR device configured to detect an object at or beyond a first predetermined distance from the LiDAR system and an even number of multiple auxiliary LiDAR devices configured to detect an object at or within a second predetermined distance from the LiDAR system. The LiDAR assembly also includes a mounting apparatus configured to mount the central and auxiliary LiDAR devices. Each of the central and auxiliary LiDAR devices is mounted to the mounting apparatus via a mounting surface. A first mounting surface between the central LiDAR device and the mounting apparatus has an angle with a second mounting surface between one of the auxiliary LiDAR devices and the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. The sensor pod system may include a cleaning system to clean sensing surfaces of sensor pods during operation. The sensor pod system may include sensors of different types and modalities. Sensor pods of the sensor pod system may be modularly installed on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle and collect and provide data of the environment during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to generating multiple laser beams from a single beam source. Single source multi-beam splitters can produce multiple beams from a single source, precisely control the exit angle of each beam, and ensure that each beam has substantially the same intensity.

Abstract: A light ranging system can include a laser device and an imaging device having photosensors. The laser device illuminates a scene with laser pulse radiation that reflects off of objects in the scene. The reflections can vary greatly depending on the reflecting surface shape and reflectivity. The signal measured by photosensors can be filtered with a number of matched filter designed according to profiles of different reflected signals. A best matched filter can be identified, and hence information about the reflecting surface and accurate ranging information can be obtained. The laser pulse radiation can be emitted in coded pulses by allowing weights to different detection intervals. Other enhancements include staggering laser pulses and changing an operational status of photodetectors of a pixel sensor, as well as efficient signal processing using a sensor chip that includes processing circuits and photosensors.

Abstract: A light-receiving apparatus (1a) includes a counting unit (11), a setting unit (12), and an acquiring unit (13). The counting unit is configured to measure a detection number of times that represents the number of times incidence of a photon to a light-receiving element has been detected within an exposure period and to output a counted value. The setting unit is configured to set a cycle of updating time information in accordance with an elapsed time during the exposure period. The acquiring unit is configured to acquire the time information indicating a time at which the counted value reaches a threshold before the exposure period elapses.

Abstract: Sensors, including time-of-flight sensors, may be used to detect objects in an environment. In an example, a vehicle may include a time-of-flight sensor that images objects around the vehicle, e.g., so the vehicle can navigate relative to the objects. Sensor data generated by the time-of-flight sensor can include saturated pixels, e.g., due to over-exposure, sensing highly-reflective objects, and/or excessive ambient light. In some examples, parameters associated with power of a time-of-flight sensor can be altered based on characteristics of the saturated pixels, as well as information about non-saturated pixels neighboring the saturated pixels. For example, the neighboring pixels may provide information about whether saturation is due to ambient light, e.g., sunlight, or due to emitted light from the sensor.

Abstract: An optical sensor module for time-of-flight measurement comprises an optical emitter, a main detector and a reference detector which are arranged in or on a carrier. An opaque housing of the optical sensor module has a first chamber and a second chamber which are separated by a light barrier. The housing has a cover section and is arranged on the carrier such that the optical emitter is located inside the first chamber, the main detector is located inside the second chamber and the reference detector is located outside the first chamber. Furthermore, a main surface of the cover section is positioned opposite the carrier. The optical emitter is arranged and configured to emit light through a first aperture in the cover section, and the main detector is arranged and configured to detect light entering the second chamber through a second aperture in the cover section.