Imaging system having multiple cores
US12066541B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2022 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/58
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The imaging system includes a photonic circuit chip having multiple cores. Each of the cores includes an optical switch and multiple alternate waveguides. The optical switch in each core is configured to direct an outgoing light signal to any one of the alternate waveguides, the alternate waveguide to which the outgoing light signal is directed being an active waveguide. Each core outputs the outgoing LIDAR signal from the active waveguide while receiving an incoming LIDAR signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal, has exited from the imaging system, and has returned to the imaging system. Each core includes a signal splitter that receives the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal. The signal splitter extracts a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal that serves as a reference signal and at least a portion of the incoming LIDAR signal that serves as a comparative signal. Each core includes a signal combiner that combines light from the reference signal with light from the comparative signal so as to generate a composite signal beating at a beat frequency. Electronics calculate LIDAR data for each core from the beat frequency of the composite signal gener…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.