Scanning LIDAR receiver with a silicon photomultiplier detector

US11604259B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

• Marcus Hennecke · Ulm, DE
• Boris KIRILLOV · Graz, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 2019
• Grant date: Mar 14, 2023
• Expiry date: Oct 2, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B26/105
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) receiver includes a receiver optics configured to receive at least one laser beam and direct the at least one laser beam along a receiver path; at least one silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) pixel including an array of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels, the at least one SiPM pixel configured to generate at least one electrical signal based on the at least one laser beam; and a spatial filter arranged between the receiver optics and the at least one SiPM pixel, the spatial filter including an aperture located at a focal point of the receiver optics that is configured to permit a passage of the at least one laser beam therethrough and spread the at least one laser beam across the array of SPAD pixels in at least one direction.