LIDAR sensors and methods for LIDAR sensors

US11879996B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Thurner · Kirchheim unter Teck, DE
• David Brunner · Dobersberg, AT
• Marcus Hennecke · Ulm, DE
• Georg Schitter · Wien, AT
• Han Woong Yoo · Wien, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 11, 2019
• Grant date: Jan 23, 2024
• Expiry date: Oct 6, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/42
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor includes a first reflective surface configured to oscillate about a first rotation axis to deflect a light beam into an environment; and a second reflective surface configured to oscillate about a second rotation axis to guide light received from the environment onto a photodetector of the LIDAR sensor. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis extend parallel to one another. The LIDAR sensor also includes a control circuit configured to drive the first reflective surface to oscillate with a first maximum deflection angle about the first rotation axis, and to drive the second reflective surface to oscillate with a second maximum deflection angle about the second rotation axis, the first maximum deflection angle being greater than the second maximum deflection angle, and an area of the first reflective surface is less than an area of the second reflective surface.