Velodyne Lidar Usa, Inc.

Tyler Banas

Sunil Khatana

David S Hall

Anand Gopalan

Phillip J Edwards

Stephen S Nestinger

Matthew Noel Rekow

Oren Milgrome

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for linearizing frequency chirp in a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) coherent LiDAR system. Exemplary methods can include generating a continuous wave laser signal having a frequency characteristic, in which the frequency characteristic can include a frequency chirp over a frequency band in at least one period; and receiving a signal based on the generated laser signal. The methods can further include mixing the received signal with a local oscillator signal, the local oscillator signal having the frequency characteristic; determining at least one beat frequency based on the mixed signal; sampling the mixed signal at a rate equal to at least two times the beat frequency; determining a correction signal based on the sampled signal; and applying the correction signal to the laser signal.

Linearization of chirp in coherent lidar systems

Systems and methods for chirp linearization using partial field-of-view (FOV) as a reference reflector

Systems and methods for chirp linearization using a partial reflector as a reference reflector

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for generating, processing and correlating data from multiple sensors in an autonomous navigation system, and more particularly to the utilization of configurable and dynamic sensor modules within light detection and ranging systems that enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment.

Systems and methods for a configurable sensor system

An apparatus may include an energy rate limiter, an electro-optical transmitter, and an energy monitor. The energy rate limiter limits energy transfer, based on an energy control signal, from a power supply to the energy storage module. The energy storage module is charged based on the energy transfer from the power supply. The electro-optical transmitter includes lasers coupled to local energy storage module. Laser firings of the lasers are based on an electrical potential of the energy storage module and laser enable signals corresponding to the lasers. The energy monitor is coupled to the energy storage module and triggers a safety alarm signal if a voltage provided by the energy storage module violates a safety condition related to a threshold voltage. The energy rate limiter terminates the energy transfer from the power supply to the local energy storage module after the safety condition is violated.

Apparatus and methods for safe pulsed laser operation

Systems and methods for chirp linearization using external reflector(s) as a reference reflector

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Alameda, CA, United States of America

Tyler Banas