Uber Technologies, Inc.

Uatc, LLC

Apparate International C.v.

Michael D Karasoff

James Allen Haslim

Nicholas M Iturraran

Brent Schwarz

Brent S Schwarz

A LIDAR sensor includes a fiber laser configured to emit an electromagnetic pulse through a fiber cable, and a fiber cable splitter to split the fiber cable into a first fiber cable and a second fiber cable. The electromagnetic pulse is split into an output pulse that propagates through the first fiber cable and a calibration pulse that propagates through the second fiber cable. The LIDAR sensor includes a pulse receiving sensor configured to detect the calibration pulse and a second pulse corresponding to the output pulse being reflected by a surface external from the LiDAR sensor. A processor is included to receive information from the pulse receiving sensor indicating a position of the surface relative to the LiDAR sensor. The processor further measures an intensity of the calibration pulse and determines a reflectance of the surface based at least in part on the intensity of the calibration pulse.

LiDAR sensor

A LiDAR sensor can include a laser, a directional sensor, a window, an electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor, and a processor. The laser can be configured to emit a narrow electromagnetic pulse. Further, the directional sensor can be configured to measure the direction of the narrow electromagnetic pulse emitted by the laser. The narrow emitted electromagnetic pulse can pass through the window. The pulse can then be reflected by at least the window and an object external from the LiDAR sensor, creating at least two reflected pulses. The electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor can be configured to measure the two reflected pulses resulting from the narrow pulse emitted by the laser. The processor can be configured to receive information from the sensors, indicating a position of the object relative to the LiDAR sensor. Further, the processor can be configured to measure the intensity of the pulse being reflected by the window.

LiDAR scanner

A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor includes a single-mode fiber positioned to receive the outputted light from a laser. The LiDAR also includes an optical circulator, a multi-clad fiber, a first optical detector positioned to receive reflected light from an inner cladding of the multi-clad fiber, and a second optical detector positioned to receive the reflected light from a core of the multi-clad fiber.

Multi-clad fiber-based light detection and ranging sensor

A LiDAR sensor can include a laser configured to output electromagnetic pulses and an optical splitter positioned to split each of the electromagnetic pulses into (i) at least one calibration pulse, and (ii) at least one external pulse directed toward an object external from the LiDAR sensor. The LiDAR sensor can further include a photodetector configured to detect the at least one calibration pulse and a reflected pulse based on the at least one external pulse reflecting from the object. The LiDAR sensor can further include a processor configured to adjust a bias voltage of the photodetector based on the at least one calibration pulse.

Lidar scanner calibration

Methods and apparatus for light detecting and range sensing. In one approach, a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensor uses an optical directing device; a multi-clad optical fiber, a light source, and a detector. The light source is optically coupled to the multi-clad optical fiber which is configured to receive optical rays transmitted from the light source and route the rays on an optical path leading to the optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct the transmitted optical rays routed through the multi-clad fiber towards a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from the target on an optical path leading to the multi-clad optical fiber. The multi-clad optical fiber is configured to receive the reflected optical rays and route the reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to the detector. The detector is configured to detect the reflected optical rays.

Multi-clad fiber based optical apparatus and methods for light detection and ranging sensors

A LiDAR can include a laser, an avalanche photodiode, a splitter, and a processor. The laser can be configured to emit a narrow electromagnetic pulse. The avalanche photodiode can be configured to receive one or more electromagnetic pulses and output a response signal in response to said pulses. The photodiode can also be positioned to receive at least one reflected pulse, reflected by an object external from the LiDAR sensor and caused by the laser. The avalanche photodiode can also have a bias voltage applied to it affecting the response signal. The splitter can be positioned to receive the narrow electromagnetic pulse and split it into at least one external pulse directed toward the object external from the LiDAR sensor and at least one calibration pulse directed toward the photodiode. The calibration pulse directed toward the photodiode can be received by the photodiode before the pulse reflected by the object. The processor can be configured to receive response signals from the photodiode. Further, the processor can be configured to adjust the bias voltage according to a response signal caused by the calibration pulse to compensate for temperature changes of the photodiode.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Michael D Karasoff