EFFICIENT LASER ILLUMINATION FOR SCANNED LIDAR

    公开(公告)号:US20230228851A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-07-20

    申请号:US17566763

    申请日:2021-12-31

    CPC classification number: G01S7/4814 G01S7/4816 G01S7/4817 G02B3/0087 G02B5/18

    Abstract: Lidar transmission optics and systems project more laser pulse energy per pixel instantaneous field-of-view (IFOV) to a portion of a sensor field of view (FOV), e.g., a portion that would be expected to have both close and distant objects of interest, and proportionally less pulse energy per pixel IFOV to other portions of the sensor FOV, e.g., those that would be expected to have or see only close objects of interest. Optics such as diffractive optical elements (DOEs), gradient-index (GRIN) lenses, and/or compound lens systems can be used for producing desired irradiance distributions having multiple parts or regions. The optics and systems improve range performance by providing for more efficient use of the total available laser pulse energy than transmit optics that project uniform pulse energy per pixel IFOV across the sensor FOV.

    DETECTOR ARRAY YIELD RECOVERY
    3.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20230017207A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-19

    申请号:US17376607

    申请日:2021-07-15

    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of identical arrays on a semiconductor wafer, each array having a plurality of detectors, screening each of the plurality of arrays to determine an operational status of each of the plurality of arrays, and selecting one of the plurality of arrays for use based on the determination of the operational status of the plurality of arrays. Also described is a focal plane array including a circuit having a plurality of electrical contacts and a die including a plurality of identical arrays, each including a plurality of detectors. The plurality of identical arrays includes at least one selected array that is fully functional and at least one non-selected array that is not fully functional and the selected array is positioned with respect to the circuit so that the detectors of the selected array contact the plurality of electrical contacts of the circuit.

    WIDE-DYNAMIC-RANGE SPLIT-DETECTOR LIDAR PHOTORECEIVER

    公开(公告)号:US20250044422A1

    公开(公告)日:2025-02-06

    申请号:US18362218

    申请日:2023-07-31

    Abstract: Split-detector lidar photoreceivers are described which utilize range-dependent focus to transition from illuminating two detector elements with returns from near targets, within a close-range threshold distance, to illuminating just one detector element for all other returns. In some examples, a split-detector can have or include a “bullseye” (concentric) detector configuration. Because two separate detector elements with separate amplifier chains are used, one channel can be optimized for the strong to and near-target returns, while another channel can be optimized and used for all other returns.

    Detector array yield recovery
    5.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11600654B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-03-07

    申请号:US17376607

    申请日:2021-07-15

    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of identical arrays on a semiconductor wafer, each array having a plurality of detectors, screening each of the plurality of arrays to determine an operational status of each of the plurality of arrays, and selecting one of the plurality of arrays for use based on the determination of the operational status of the plurality of arrays. Also described is a focal plane array including a circuit having a plurality of electrical contacts and a die including a plurality of identical arrays, each including a plurality of detectors. The plurality of identical arrays includes at least one selected array that is fully functional and at least one non-selected array that is not fully functional and the selected array is positioned with respect to the circuit so that the detectors of the selected array contact the plurality of electrical contacts of the circuit.

    Image compensation for sensor array having bad pixels

    公开(公告)号:US11252359B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-02-15

    申请号:US17352829

    申请日:2021-06-21

    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compensating for bad pixels in a sensor array. In embodiments, a detector system receives an image on a sensor array of pixels for a first frame via a lens when the lens and the sensor array are configured in a first positional relationship. The array includes at least one bad pixel. The system moves the lens and/or the sensor array based on a position of the at least one bad pixel in the image such that the lens and the sensor array are configured in a second positional relationship. The image on the sensor array for a second frame is received via the lens when the lens and the sensor array are configured in a second positional relationship. The system compensates for the location of the at least one bad pixel in the image for the first and second frames to output a processed image.

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