A LIDAR system has a transmitter that outputs a system output signal from the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that control a frequency of the system output signal over a series of cycles. The cycles include multiple data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a first rate during a first one of the data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a second rate during a second one of the data periods. The second rate is different from the first rate.

A LIDAR system has a transmitter that outputs a system output signal from the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that control a frequency of the system output signal over a series of cycles. The cycles include multiple data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a first rate during a first one of the data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a second rate during a second one of the data periods. The second rate is different from the first rate.

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system performs a method including generating a frequency domain waveform based on a baseband electrical signal in a time domain, wherein the frequency domain waveform includes a spectrum of frequencies, separating the spectrum of frequencies in the frequency domain waveform into multiple frequency bands including at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and performing a first peak detection within the first frequency band. The method further includes performing a second peak detection within the second frequency band, wherein the first peak detection and second peak detection are different peak detection techniques, and selecting a peak frequency from the spectrum of frequencies in the frequency domain waveform based at least in part on the first peak detection within the first frequency band and the second peak detection within the second frequency band.

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system performs a method including generating a frequency domain waveform based on a baseband signal in a time domain, determining a first likelihood metric for frequencies in the frequency domain waveform, and identifying one or more frequencies in the frequency domain waveform that exceed a threshold value for the first likelihood metric. The method further includes determining a second likelihood metric for the frequencies in the frequency domain waveform, selecting a peak frequency from the frequency domain waveform corresponding to the frequency with the highest value for the second likelihood metric based on the one or more frequencies in the frequency domain waveform that exceed the threshold value for the first likelihood metric, and determining one or more properties of a target based at least in part on the selected peak frequency and the corresponding values of the first and second likelihood metrics.

Imaging systems and method of optical imaging. One example of an imaging system includes an optical scanning subsystem including an optical source and a MEMS MMA, the MEMS MMA being configured to direct optical radiation generated by the optical source over an area of a scene, a detection subsystem including an optical sensor configured to collect reflected optical radiation from the area of the scene, and a fused fiber focusing assembly including a fused fiber bundle, a plurality of lenses coupled together and positioned to receive and focus the reflected optical radiation from the area of the scene directly onto the fused fiber bundle, a microlens array interposed between the fused fiber bundle and the optical sensor and positioned to receive the reflected optical radiation from the fused fiber bundle, and a focusing lens positioned to direct the reflected optical radiation from the microlens array onto the optical sensor. The MEMS MMA may be further configured to generate and independently steer multiple beams of optical radiation, at the same or different wavelengths, to more fully interrogate the area of the scene. The MEMS MMA through its Piston capability may be further configured to shape the optical beam(s) to execute a variety of optical functions within the beam steering device.

The disclosure relates to a method for simulating sensor data of a continuous wave (CW) Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) sensor. The method includes generating a ray set comprising at least one ray, based on a CW signal, where each ray in the ray set has an emission starting time and an emission duration. The method further includes propagating, for each ray in the ray set, the ray through a simulated scene including at least one object; computing, for each ray in the ray set, a signal contribution of the propagated ray at a detection location in the simulated scene; generating an output signal, based on mixing the CW signal with the computed signal contributions of the rays in the ray set; and at least one of storing and outputting the output signal.

The disclosure relates to a method for simulating sensor data of a continuous wave (CW) Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) sensor. The method includes generating a ray set comprising at least one ray, based on a CW signal, where each ray in the ray set has an emission starting time and an emission duration. The method further includes propagating, for each ray in the ray set, the ray through a simulated scene including at least one object; computing, for each ray in the ray set, a signal contribution of the propagated ray at a detection location in the simulated scene; generating an output signal, based on mixing the CW signal with the computed signal contributions of the rays in the ray set; and at least one of storing and outputting the output signal.

A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The system estimates this trajectory in two stages: a first stage in which the range and Doppler measurements from the lidar system along with various feature measurements obtained from the images from the video system are used to estimate first stage motion aspects of the target (i.e., the trajectory of the target); and a second stage in which the images from the video system and the first stage motion aspects of the target are used to estimate second stage motion aspects of the target. Once the second stage motion aspects of the target are estimated, a three-dimensional image of the target may be generated.

A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The system estimates this trajectory in two stages: a first stage in which the range and Doppler measurements from the lidar system along with various feature measurements obtained from the images from the video system are used to estimate first stage motion aspects of the target (i.e., the trajectory of the target); and a second stage in which the images from the video system and the first stage motion aspects of the target are used to estimate second stage motion aspects of the target. Once the second stage motion aspects of the target are estimated, a three-dimensional image of the target may be generated.

A time of flight (ToF) sensor includes: a first pixel including a first photogate to receive light reflected by an object and generate a first phase signal, and a second photogate to generate a second phase signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees with respect to the first phase signal; a second pixel including a third photogate to receive the reflected light and generate a third phase signal different from the first phase signal and a fourth photogate to generate a fourth phase signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees with respect to the third phase signal; a first signal output unit to output the first and second phase signals; and a second signal output unit to output the third and fourth phase signals, wherein the first, second, third and fourth photogates output the first to fourth phase signals during a frame period.