Descan compensation in scanning LIDAR
US11709240B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/58
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus is provided that includes a laser source configured to emit a laser beam in a first direction. The apparatus also includes lensing optics configured to pass a first portion of the laser beam in the first direction toward a target, return a second portion of the laser beam into a return path as a local oscillator signal, and return a target signal into the return path. The apparatus also includes a quarter-wave plate configured to polarize the laser beam headed in the first direction and polarize the target signal returned through the lensing optics. The apparatus also includes a polarization beam splitter configured to pass non-polarized light through the beam splitter in the first direction and reflect polarized light in a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the polarization beam splitter is further configured to enable interference between the local oscillator signal and the target signal to generate a mixed signal. The apparatus also includes an optical detector configured to receive the mixed signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.