System and methods for ranging operations using multiple signals

    公开(公告)号:US11506764B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-22

    申请号:US16232979

    申请日:2018-12-26

    摘要: Method and system for performing ranging operation are provided. In one example, a transmitter is configured to transmit a first signal having a first signal level and a second signal having a second signal level, the second signal being transmitted after the first signal, the first signal and the second signal being separated by a time gap configured based on a minimum distance of a range of distances to be measured by the LiDAR module. The first signal level and the second signal level are configured based on the range of distances to be measured by the LiDAR module, a range of levels of reflectivity of a target object to be detected by the LiDAR module, and a dynamic range of a receiver circuit to receive the first signal and the second signal. Ranging operation can be performed based on the time-of-flight of at least one of the first signal or the second signal.

    DETECTION AND RANGING OPERATION OF CLOSE PROXIMITY OBJECT

    公开(公告)号:US20220206115A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-06-30

    申请号:US17137224

    申请日:2020-12-29

    摘要: In one example, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus is part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module and comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and a controller. The receiver circuit comprises a photodetector configured to convert a light signal into a photocurrent signal. The controller is configured to: transmit, using the transmitter circuit, a first light signal; receive, using the photodetector of the receiver circuit, a second light signal; determine whether the second light signal includes a scatter signal coupled from the transmitter circuit, and a reflected first light signal; and based on whether the second light signal includes the scatter signal and the reflected first light signal, determine a time-of-flight of the first light signal based on one of: a width of the second light signal, or a time difference between the transmission of the first light signal and the reception of the second light signal.

    Feed-forward equalization for enhanced distance resolution

    公开(公告)号:US12117566B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-10-15

    申请号:US17216284

    申请日:2021-03-29

    摘要: Apparatus and methods for reducing inter symbol interference from reflected laser pulses that are received close in time. A laser is provided to emit a laser beam pulse. A photodetector is mounted to receive a reflected laser beam pulse after reflecting off an object in an external environment, and produce a voltage signal corresponding to the reflected laser beam pulse. The voltage signal is provided to a delay path circuit having a delay line and a gain control circuit to provide a delayed, reduced amplitude voltage signal. The delayed, reduced amplitude voltage signal is subtracted from the voltage signal in a subtraction circuit to produce a truncated pulse. The output of the subtraction circuit is provided to a pulse detector circuit to detect the arrival time of the leading edge of the truncated pulse.

    Copackaging photodetector and readout circuit for improved LiDAR detection

    公开(公告)号:US11965989B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-04-23

    申请号:US17089715

    申请日:2020-11-04

    摘要: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system and an optical sensing method thereof. The optical sensing system comprises a light source configured to emit an optical signal into an environment surrounding the optical sensing system. The optical sensing system further comprises a photodetector configured to receive the optical signal reflected from the environment of the optical sensing system, and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal, where the photodetector is disposed in a package. The optical sensing system additionally comprises a readout circuit configured to generate a readout signal based on the electrical signal received from the photodetector, where the readout circuit is disposed in the same package as the photodetector and connected to the photodetector through routings in the package.

    CONTROL OF OPTICAL RECEIVER BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION

    公开(公告)号:US20220120881A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-04-21

    申请号:US17073073

    申请日:2020-10-16

    摘要: In one example, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus is part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module of a vehicle and comprises: a receiver circuit including a photodiode and an amplifier circuit; and a controller configured to: obtain information of an operation condition of the LiDAR module; based on the information, set a multiplication ratio by which the photodiode converts incident light to a photocurrent; obtain, from the amplifier circuit, an output signal based on the photocurrent; and perform a ranging operation based on the output signal.

    COPACKGING PHOTODETECTOR AND READOUT CIRCUIT FOR IMPROVED LIDAR DETECTION

    公开(公告)号:US20220137191A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-05

    申请号:US17089715

    申请日:2020-11-04

    摘要: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system and an optical sensing method thereof. The optical sensing system comprises a light source configured to emit an optical signal into an environment surrounding the optical sensing system. The optical sensing system further comprises a photodetector configured to receive the optical signal reflected from the environment of the optical sensing system, and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal, where the photodetector is disposed in a package. The optical sensing system additionally comprises a readout circuit configured to generate a readout signal based on the electrical signal received from the photodetector, where the readout circuit is disposed in the same package as the photodetector and connected to the photodetector through routings in the package.

    DYNAMIC RECEIVER GAIN CONTROL FOR LIDAR SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20220003851A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-01-06

    申请号:US16995423

    申请日:2020-08-17

    摘要: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a method for controlling a receiver gain in the optical sensing system, and a receiver in the optical sensing system. The exemplary optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit light beams at a plurality of vertical detection angles to scan an object. The optical sensing system further includes a receiver having a detector configured to detect the light beams returned by the object. The optical sensing system also includes a controller configured to dynamically vary a gain of the detector for detecting the light beams of the respective vertical detection angles.