A vehicle is provided that includes one or more wheels positioned at a bottom side of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a first light detection and ranging device (LIDAR) positioned at a top side of the vehicle opposite to the bottom side. The first LIDAR is configured to scan an environment around the vehicle based on rotation of the first LIDAR about an axis. The first LIDAR has a first resolution. The vehicle also includes a second LIDAR configured to scan a field-of-view of the environment that extends away from the vehicle along a viewing direction of the second LIDAR. The second LIDAR has a second resolution. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to operate the vehicle based on the scans of the environment by the first LIDAR and the second LIDAR.

A LIDAR apparatus for scanning a scene is provided that includes a transmitter stage, a receiver stage, a beam-steering engine configured to steer the light beam received from the transmitter stage in different directions to scan at least a portion of the scene. The beam-steering engine is responsive to steering commands to produce corresponding deflections of the light beam.

A LIDAR apparatus for scanning a scene is provided that includes a transmitter stage, a receiver stage, a beam-steering engine configured to steer the light beam received from the transmitter stage in different directions to scan at least a portion of the scene. The beam-steering engine is responsive to steering commands to produce corresponding deflections of the light beam.

[Problem]

To provide a light receiving apparatus, a light receiving circuit, and a distance measurement apparatus which can detect a photon with high accuracy, irrespective of illuminance in the environment.

[Solution]

A light receiving apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a first light receiving circuit configured such that it is possible to switch a recharge method for a light receiving element, and a control circuit configured to control the recharge method for the first light receiving circuit on the basis of a signal outputted by the first light receiving circuit in a reaction with a photon.

Method and apparatus for generating and processing pulses in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. In some embodiments, an emitter outputs phase modulated continuous wave (PMCW) light sequences encoded with a selected encoding scheme such as a pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS). An analog processing circuit processes reflected light sequences from a target illuminated by the PMCW light sequences by performing analog extraction of a doppler component and analog encoding correlation prior to digitalization of the received signal. The analog processing circuit can include a plurality of demodulation stages each multiplying the input signals by positive and negative magnitudes of a scalar value at times corresponding to signal transitions of different associated doppler clock frequencies. A threshold circuit applies suitable thresholding, after which the signals can be digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for further processing in the digital domain to obtain range information associated with the detected target.

Method and apparatus for generating and processing pulses in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. In some embodiments, an emitter outputs phase modulated continuous wave (PMCW) light sequences encoded with a selected encoding scheme such as a pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS). An analog processing circuit processes reflected light sequences from a target illuminated by the PMCW light sequences by performing analog extraction of a doppler component and analog encoding correlation prior to digitalization of the received signal. The analog processing circuit can include a plurality of demodulation stages each multiplying the input signals by positive and negative magnitudes of a scalar value at times corresponding to signal transitions of different associated doppler clock frequencies. A threshold circuit applies suitable thresholding, after which the signals can be digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for further processing in the digital domain to obtain range information associated with the detected target.

A Lidar system is provided. The Lidar system comprises: a set of light sources configured to emit a plurality of light beams; a set of optical fiber elements, wherein each of the set of light sources is optically coupled to a first end of one or more optical fiber elements from the set of optical fiber elements; and at least one mounting unit comprising a structure configured to receive a second end of the set of optical fiber elements at one or more directions thereby affecting a direction of the plurality of light beams individually.

A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.

A system for enhanced object detection and identification is disclosed. The system provides new capabilities in object detection and identification. The system can be used with a variety of vehicles, such as autonomous cars, human-driven motor vehicles, robots, drones, and aircraft and can detect objects in adverse operating conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or sun glare. Enhanced object detection can also be used to detect objects in the environment around a stationary object. Additionally, such systems can rapidly identify and classify objects based on the encoded information in the emitted or reflected signals from the materials.

A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes a detector having a first pixel and a second pixel configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon, and receiver optics configured to collect the light over a field of view and direct first and second portions of the light to the first and second pixels, respectively. The first pixel includes one or more time of flight (ToF) sensors, and the second pixel includes one or more image sensors. At least one of the receiver optics or arrangement of the first and second pixels in the detector is configured to correlate the first and second pixels such that depth information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the first pixel is correlated with image information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the second pixel. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.