Patent classifications
G01S7/4861
Current-domain analog frontend for intensity modulated direct time-of-flight LIDARs
A circuit for filtering a signal corresponding to a time of flight (TOF) of light from a laser reflected off an object to a photo detector, the circuit includes a preamplifier, a DC cancelation loop, and an AC cancelation loop. The preamplifier may be configured to receive the signal from the photo detector corresponding to an output of the laser reflected off an object remote from the laser and photo detector. The DC cancelation loop includes a current feedback DC servo loop. The AC cancelation loop includes a feedback network driven by a floating class AB output stage, and the preamplifier configured to drive the floating class AB output stage, wherein the preamplifier is driven by an error signal of the feedback network and creates an AC signal path with the feedback network and floating class AB output stage.
Shared sample and convert capacitor architecture
A LIDAR device includes an input node, an output node, and a sample-and-convert circuit. The input node receives a photodetector signal, and the output node generates an output signal indicating a light intensity value of the photodetector signal. The sample-and-convert circuit includes a number of detection channels coupled in parallel between the input node and the output node. In some aspects, each of the detection channels may be configured to sample a value of the photodetector signal during the sample mode and to hold the sampled value during the convert mode using a single capacitor.
Shared sample and convert capacitor architecture
A LIDAR device includes an input node, an output node, and a sample-and-convert circuit. The input node receives a photodetector signal, and the output node generates an output signal indicating a light intensity value of the photodetector signal. The sample-and-convert circuit includes a number of detection channels coupled in parallel between the input node and the output node. In some aspects, each of the detection channels may be configured to sample a value of the photodetector signal during the sample mode and to hold the sampled value during the convert mode using a single capacitor.
MULTI-SPECTRAL LIDAR
A light detection and ranging system can have a spectral module connected to a light emitter and a detector as part of an optical sensor. The spectral module can be configured to adjust from a first wavelength of light to a second wavelength of light to classify a downrange target. The spectral module can customize a ratio of wavelengths over time to filter false positives in a field of view.
MULTI-SPECTRAL LIDAR
A light detection and ranging system can have a spectral module connected to a light emitter and a detector as part of an optical sensor. The spectral module can be configured to adjust from a first wavelength of light to a second wavelength of light to classify a downrange target. The spectral module can customize a ratio of wavelengths over time to filter false positives in a field of view.
Apparatus for and method of range sensor based on direct time-of-flight and triangulation
A range sensor and a method thereof. The range sensor includes a light source configured to project a plurality of sheets of light at an angle within a field of view (FOV); an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is offset from the light source; collection optics; and a controller connected to the light source, the image sensor, and the collection optics, and configured to simultaneously determine a range of a distant object based on direct time-of-flight (TOF) and a range of a near object based on triangulation.
Apparatus for and method of range sensor based on direct time-of-flight and triangulation
A range sensor and a method thereof. The range sensor includes a light source configured to project a plurality of sheets of light at an angle within a field of view (FOV); an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is offset from the light source; collection optics; and a controller connected to the light source, the image sensor, and the collection optics, and configured to simultaneously determine a range of a distant object based on direct time-of-flight (TOF) and a range of a near object based on triangulation.
EXPANDING A DYNAMIC RANGE OF SPAD-BASED DETECTORS
A method for operating a LIDAR device by a control unit is provided. At least one beam pulse is emitted into a sampling range by a beam source, and beams that are reflected and/or back-scattered from the sampling range are received by a detector that includes multiple SPAD cells, and converted into electrical counting pulses. The at least one beam pulse is generated with a lengthened falling intensity edge, and the detector is read out by a DC-coupled readout electronics system. Moreover, a control unit and a LIDAR device are provided.
Surveying instrument
A surveying instrument comprises a light projecting optical system for projecting a distance measuring light to a predetermined measuring point, a light receiving optical system for receiving a reflected distance measuring light and an infrared light from the measuring point, and an arithmetic control module for controlling a distance measurement and a temperature measurement based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light and the infrared light, and the arithmetic control module measures a distance to the measuring point based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light received by a photodetector of the light receiving optical system, and measures a temperature of the measuring point based on light receiving results of the infrared light received by a temperature sensor of the light receiving optical system.
Surveying instrument
A surveying instrument comprises a light projecting optical system for projecting a distance measuring light to a predetermined measuring point, a light receiving optical system for receiving a reflected distance measuring light and an infrared light from the measuring point, and an arithmetic control module for controlling a distance measurement and a temperature measurement based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light and the infrared light, and the arithmetic control module measures a distance to the measuring point based on light receiving results of the reflected distance measuring light received by a photodetector of the light receiving optical system, and measures a temperature of the measuring point based on light receiving results of the infrared light received by a temperature sensor of the light receiving optical system.