Optical phased array (OPA)
US10678117B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/50
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical phased array (OPA) may be included in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system and may be configured to perform beam steering. The OPA may include a cascading structure of splitters configured to enable a branch operation to be performed M times. Each splitter may split an input optical signal in a ratio of 1:1 and output the split input optical signal. The OPA may include a plurality of sets of first phase shifters (PSs), each set of first PSs located exclusively on one output end of a separate splitter, each set of first PSs including a particular quantity of first PSs based on a branch position at which the separate splitter is located. The OPA may be included in a LiDAR system that is further included in a vehicle that is configured to enable navigation of the vehicle, including autonomous navigation, through an environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.