Light detecting and ranging (LIDAR) signal processing circuitry
US10539663B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03G7/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Introduced here are techniques for implementing a comparator-based LIDAR system with improved components, such as an improved high-speed comparator circuit, to acquire depth information from the surroundings of an unmanned moving object (e.g., a UAV). In various embodiments, the LIDAR system includes an amplifier module with different configurations of anti-saturation circuitry. The LIDAR system may further include various feedback control mechanisms for noise interference reduction and timing measurement compensation including, for example, dynamic gain adjustment of the photodetector module, and/or dynamic adjustment of comparators' thresholds. Among other components, the disclosed comparator circuit can provide the LIDAR system with a wide dynamic range, preventing large signal amplification saturation while also providing sufficient magnification of small signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.