G01S7/497

METHOD FOR CALIBRATING LIDAR AND POSITIONING DEVICE, DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM
20230008398 · 2023-01-12 ·

A method for calibrating a Lidar and a positioning device, a device, and a storage medium. The method includes: acquiring a point-cloud data sequence of the Lidar and a pose data sequence of the positioning device, in which, the Lidar and the positioning device are on a same traveling device; determining first trajectory information of the Lidar and second trajectory information of the positioning device according to the point-cloud data sequence and the pose data sequence; and determining a calibration offset between the Lidar and the positioning device according to the first trajectory information and the second trajectory information, in which, a matching degree between the first trajectory information and the second trajectory information satisfies a preset matching degree condition under a trajectory information correspondence determined based on the calibration offset.

Vertically stacked lidar assembly
11698446 · 2023-07-11 · ·

Various technologies described herein pertain to a vertically stacked lidar assembly of an autonomous vehicle. The vertically stacked lidar assembly includes a first lidar sensor system configured to spin about an axis and a second lidar sensor system configured to spin about the axis. The first lidar sensor system is vertically stacked above the second lidar sensor system in the vertically stacked lidar assembly. Moreover, the first lidar sensor system and the second lidar sensor system are coaxially aligned. Redundancy is provided by the vertically stacked lidar assembly including the first lidar sensor system and the second lidar sensor system.

Vertically stacked lidar assembly
11698446 · 2023-07-11 · ·

Various technologies described herein pertain to a vertically stacked lidar assembly of an autonomous vehicle. The vertically stacked lidar assembly includes a first lidar sensor system configured to spin about an axis and a second lidar sensor system configured to spin about the axis. The first lidar sensor system is vertically stacked above the second lidar sensor system in the vertically stacked lidar assembly. Moreover, the first lidar sensor system and the second lidar sensor system are coaxially aligned. Redundancy is provided by the vertically stacked lidar assembly including the first lidar sensor system and the second lidar sensor system.

DYNAMIC GAIN ADJUSTMENT BASED ON DISTANCE TO TARGET IN AN ACTIVE LIGHT DETECTION SYSTEM
20230008751 · 2023-01-12 ·

Apparatus and method for adaptively adjusting amplifier gain based on detected distance to a target in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. In some embodiments, the amplifier amplifies detected pulses obtained from a photodetector, and the gain is adjusted from among at least two selectable gain modes responsive to a measured time of flight (ToF) for the pulses. A first range of gain levels can be used for targets that are within a first maximum distance range, and a second range of gain levels can be used for targets that are beyond the first maximum distance range. Each mode can extend from a minimum to a maximum value along a selected linear slope. A gain adjustment circuit can use a Gilbert Cell or a multiplier and fully differential amplifier arrangement.

DYNAMIC GAIN ADJUSTMENT BASED ON DISTANCE TO TARGET IN AN ACTIVE LIGHT DETECTION SYSTEM
20230008751 · 2023-01-12 ·

Apparatus and method for adaptively adjusting amplifier gain based on detected distance to a target in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. In some embodiments, the amplifier amplifies detected pulses obtained from a photodetector, and the gain is adjusted from among at least two selectable gain modes responsive to a measured time of flight (ToF) for the pulses. A first range of gain levels can be used for targets that are within a first maximum distance range, and a second range of gain levels can be used for targets that are beyond the first maximum distance range. Each mode can extend from a minimum to a maximum value along a selected linear slope. A gain adjustment circuit can use a Gilbert Cell or a multiplier and fully differential amplifier arrangement.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING RESOLUTION OF IMAGES OBTAINED FROM A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
20230213653 · 2023-07-06 · ·

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 (6DOF) of a target. The 6DOF transformation parameters are used to transform multiple images to the frame time of a selected image, thus obtaining multiple images at the same frame time. These multiple images may be used to increase a resolution of the image at each frame time, obtaining the collection of the superresolution images.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING RESOLUTION OF IMAGES OBTAINED FROM A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
20230213653 · 2023-07-06 · ·

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 (6DOF) of a target. The 6DOF transformation parameters are used to transform multiple images to the frame time of a selected image, thus obtaining multiple images at the same frame time. These multiple images may be used to increase a resolution of the image at each frame time, obtaining the collection of the superresolution images.

RAPID SERVO PROFILE RECONFIGURATION IN A LiDAR SYSTEM
20230011101 · 2023-01-12 ·

Method and apparatus for reconfiguring a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system based on detected changes in environmental conditions. In some embodiments, an illumination profile is generated to identify a portion of a field of view (FoV) to which enhanced electromagnetic radiation is to be applied by an emitter of the LiDAR system. A scan profile is generated corresponding to the illumination profile, and the scan profile is applied to an output device of the emitter to produce the selected illumination profile upon targets in the FoV. The scan profile is generated in response to an external sensor that indicates a change in operational environment for the LiDAR system, such as a geopositioning sensor that detects a change in elevation or direction of a vehicle in which the LiDAR system is mounted. An observer and plant model can be incorporated into a servo control system to direct the scanning patterns.

Eye-Safe Scanning LIDAR System
20230213625 · 2023-07-06 · ·

A LIDAR illuminator includes a plurality of laser sources, each comprising an electrical input that receives a modulation drive signal that causes each of the plurality of laser sources to generate an optical beam. A controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, where a respective one of the plurality of electrical outputs is connected to an electrical input of a respective one of the plurality of laser sources, generates a plurality of modulation drive signals that cause the plurality of laser sources to generate a plurality of optical beams that form a combined optical beam. A peak optical energy of the combined optical beam in a measurement aperture at a measurement distance is less than a desired value.

Eye-Safe Scanning LIDAR System
20230213625 · 2023-07-06 · ·

A LIDAR illuminator includes a plurality of laser sources, each comprising an electrical input that receives a modulation drive signal that causes each of the plurality of laser sources to generate an optical beam. A controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, where a respective one of the plurality of electrical outputs is connected to an electrical input of a respective one of the plurality of laser sources, generates a plurality of modulation drive signals that cause the plurality of laser sources to generate a plurality of optical beams that form a combined optical beam. A peak optical energy of the combined optical beam in a measurement aperture at a measurement distance is less than a desired value.