A photodiode-based detection module may include at least one photodiode for detecting light. The photodiode-based detection module may also include a sensitivity damper configured to temporarily reduce the sensitivity of the at least one photodiode. The photodiode-based detection module may further include a controller configured to trigger the sensitivity damper to reduce a sensitivity of the at least one photodiode to less than a nominal sensitivity threshold.

A system and method for correcting a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) return signal is disclosed. The LiDAR return signal is digitized by a converter. An exemplary signal correction system includes a signal processor configured to identify saturated samples from the LiDAR return signal, determine a correction parameter based on non-saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal and corresponding samples in a reference signal, and correct the saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal using the correction parameter.

A system and method for correcting a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) return signal is disclosed. The LiDAR return signal is digitized by a converter. An exemplary signal correction system includes a signal processor configured to identify saturated samples from the LiDAR return signal, determine a correction parameter based on non-saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal and corresponding samples in a reference signal, and correct the saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal using the correction parameter.

A drive controller in a distance-measuring imaging device generates an exposure control signal having first to third exposure control pulses based on output timings of corresponding ones of emission control pulses. The difference between output starting time of the third exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses is greater than the difference between output starting time of the second exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses. The difference between output starting time of the second exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses is greater than the difference between output starting of the first exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses. The imager outputs first to third exposure signals indicating amounts of charge generated through exposure by the first to third control pulses.

A drive controller in a distance-measuring imaging device generates an exposure control signal having first to third exposure control pulses based on output timings of corresponding ones of emission control pulses. The difference between output starting time of the third exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses is greater than the difference between output starting time of the second exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses. The difference between output starting time of the second exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses is greater than the difference between output starting of the first exposure control pulse and output starting time of one of the emission control pulses. The imager outputs first to third exposure signals indicating amounts of charge generated through exposure by the first to third control pulses.

In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit (i) local-oscillator light and (ii) pulses of light, where each emitted pulse of light is coherent with a corresponding temporal portion of the local-oscillator light. The lidar system also includes a receiver configured to detect the local-oscillator light and a received pulse of light, the received pulse of light including a portion of one of the emitted pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The receiver includes a detector configured to produce a photocurrent signal corresponding to the local-oscillator light and the received pulse of light. The photocurrent signal includes a sum of a first term, a second term, and a third term.

In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit (i) local-oscillator light and (ii) pulses of light. Additionally, the light source is configured to impart a spectral signature of one or more different spectral signatures to each of the emitted pulses of light, where the emitted pulses of light include an emitted pulse of light having a particular spectral signature of the one or more different spectral signatures. The lidar system also includes a receiver configured to detect the local-oscillator light and a received pulse of light, the received pulse of light including a portion of the emitted pulse of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The receiver includes a detector configured to produce a photocurrent signal corresponding to the local-oscillator light and the received pulse of light. The receiver also includes a pulse-detection circuit and a frequency-detection circuit.

In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit (i) local-oscillator light and (ii) pulses of light. Additionally, the light source is configured to impart a spectral signature of one or more different spectral signatures to each of the emitted pulses of light, where the emitted pulses of light include an emitted pulse of light having a particular spectral signature of the one or more different spectral signatures. The lidar system also includes a receiver configured to detect the local-oscillator light and a received pulse of light, the received pulse of light including a portion of the emitted pulse of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The receiver includes a detector configured to produce a photocurrent signal corresponding to the local-oscillator light and the received pulse of light. The receiver also includes a pulse-detection circuit and a frequency-detection circuit.

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. The example method may also include activating a second light detector of the LIDAR system at a second time, the second time corresponding a time when return light corresponding to the first light pulse would be within a second field of view of the second light detector, wherein the first light detector is configured to include the first field of view, the first field of view being associated with a first range from the light emitter, and wherein the second light detector configured to include the second field of view, the second field of view being associated with a second range from the light emitter.

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. The example method may also include activating a second light detector of the LIDAR system at a second time, the second time corresponding a time when return light corresponding to the first light pulse would be within a second field of view of the second light detector, wherein the first light detector is configured to include the first field of view, the first field of view being associated with a first range from the light emitter, and wherein the second light detector configured to include the second field of view, the second field of view being associated with a second range from the light emitter.