Light radar signal processing apparatus, systems and methods
US9684066B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Samples of a light radar (“LIDAR”) return signal are stored in an analog circular buffer following the transmission of a LIDAR pulse. Sampling continues for a fixed period of time or number of samples during a post-trigger sampling period after the occurrence of a trigger signal from a trigger circuit. The trigger circuit indicates the receipt of a return pulse associated with a target object based upon one or more return signal characteristics. Following the post-trigger sampling period, the stored analog samples are sequentially read out and converted to digital sample values. The digital sample values may be analyzed in a digital processor to further confirm the validity of the returned LIDAR pulse, to determine a time of arrival of the LIDAR pulse, and to calculate a distance to the target object. Some versions include multiple circular buffers and capture clocks, enabling the capture of samples from multiple return pulses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.