Laser-array lidar devices
US11275155B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A LIDAR device includes an array of lasers and an array of corresponding receivers. The spatial distribution of the lasers corresponds to that of the receivers. The array of lasers creates an array of beamlets and correlated receiver fields of view for dense three-dimensional point cloud mapping with precise angular spacing defined by lithographically grown transmitter and receiver arrays. A transmitter lens may be provided that maximizes optical throughput in a coaxial LIDAR by crossing the transmitter beamlets at the focus of the transmitter lens, where a transmit and receive combiner is also located. A single transmitter lens may be used to both collimate and steer the transmitter beamlets to generate a desired spot pattern in angle space. Control circuitry for the lasers may include a drive transistor with a power source coupled to a source terminal and an isolated gate driver coupled to a gate terminal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.