Time of flight lidar system using coherent detection scheme
US11592558B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/024
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various technologies described herein pertain to a time of flight lidar sensor system that uses a coherent detection scheme. The lidar sensor system includes a laser source, a semiconductor optical amplifier, a combiner, and a balanced detector. The laser source emits an input optical signal. The semiconductor optical amplifier receives a first portion of the input optical signal and outputs a modulated optical signal (amplified and modulated). The combiner receives a second portion of the input optical signal and a returned optical signal received responsive to transmission of at least a portion of the modulated optical signal. The combiner coherently mixes the second portion of the input optical signal with the returned optical signal and outputs mixed optical signals. The balanced detector detects the mixed optical signals and generates an output signal (e.g., a differential photocurrent), which can be used to detect a distance to a target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.