Solid-state LIDAR transmitter with laser control

US12038509B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Opsys Tech Lid. · IL

Inventors

• Mark J. Donovan · San Jose, US
• Raphael Harel · Beer Yaakov, IL
• Noam Tziony · Bnei Brak, IL
• Mordehai Caspi · Rishon LeZion, IL
• Meir Fogel · Rehovot, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 2023
• Grant date: Jul 16, 2024
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/486
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A solid state LIDAR transmitter includes a two dimensional array of laser devices having columns and rows and configured such that anodes of laser devices in a column are connected to a common anode connection and cathodes of laser devices in a row are connected to a common cathode connection. A capacitive discharge circuit comprises a first switch configured so the capacitive discharge circuit charges to a voltage potential when the first switch is open and discharges when the first switch is closed. A second switch is configured such that the common cathode connection is coupled to ground when the second switch is closed. A controller is configured to instruct the first switch and the second switch to close at a time t0 such that the capacitive discharge circuit charges to the voltage potential at a time, t1, thereby causing a laser device connected between the capacitive discharge circuit and the second switch to generate an optical pulse.