Beijing Voyager Technology Co., Ltd.

Guangzhou Woya Laideling Technology Co., Ltd.

Didi Research America, LLC

Zhenghan Zhu

Yue Lu

Lingkai Kong

John K Wu

Vipul Chawla

Yibo Yu

Yu-Ching Yeh

Jihua Li

Tao Chu

John Wu

Jihau Li

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for analyzing noise data for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The system includes a communication interface configured to sequentially receive noise data of the LiDAR in time windows, at least one storage device configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. Exemplary operations include determining an estimated noise value of a first time window using the noise data received in the first time window and determining an instant noise value of a second time window using the noise data received in the second time window. The second time window is immediately subsequent to the first time window. The operations also include determining an estimated noise value of the second time window by aggregating the estimated noise value of the first time window and the instant noise value of the second time window.

Real-time estimation of dc bias and noise power of light detection and ranging (LiDAR)

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a range estimation system for the optical sensing system, and a method for the optical sensing system. The exemplary optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit a laser pulse towards an object. The optical sensing system further includes a range estimation system configured to estimate a range between the object and the optical sensing system. The range estimation system includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to generate a plurality of pulse samples based on the laser pulse returned from the object. The returned laser pulse has a substantially triangular waveform including a rising edge and a falling edge. The range estimation system further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate synthesized pulse samples on the substantially triangular waveform based on the pulse samples. The processor is further configured to determine an arrival time of the returned laser pulse based on the ADC generated pulse samples and the synthesized pulse samples. The processor is also configured to estimate a range between the object and the optical sensing system based on the arrival time of the returned laser pulse.

Range estimation for LiDAR systems

A system for controlling a pulsed laser diode includes a power source configured to supply power to the pulsed laser diode and at least one driving branch between the power source and the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is configured to control power delivery from the power source to the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is connected to a cathode of the pulsed laser diode.

Multi-pulse generation for pulsed laser diodes using low-side drivers

Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanner. The receiver includes a photodetector configured to receive a laser beam, and convert the received laser beam to an electrical signal including a plurality of pulses. The receiver also includes an amplifier configured to amplify the electrical signal. The receiver further includes a pulse equalizer configured to sharpen the plurality of pulses in the amplified electrical signal. Each pulse is sharpened to have a narrower width and an increased amplitude.

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with pulse equalizer

A system and method for correcting a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) return signal is disclosed. The LiDAR return signal is digitized by a converter. An exemplary signal correction system includes a signal processor configured to identify saturated samples from the LiDAR return signal, determine a correction parameter based on non-saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal and corresponding samples in a reference signal, and correct the saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal using the correction parameter.

Light detection and ranging signal correction methods and systems

Methods and apparatus for performing a ranging operation are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, a controller, and a code storage. The controller can obtain a first code from the code storage, determine, from the first code, first timing information and first amplitude information of a corresponding first group of one or more signals, and control the transmitter circuit to transmit the first group of one or more signals based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information. The controller can configure a matched filter based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information, identify return signals of the first group of one or more signals based on processing received signals using the configured matched filter, and perform a ranging operation based on the identified return signals and the first group of one or more signals.

System and methods for ranging operations using modulated signals

A method for operating a LiDAR system in an automobile that can include receiving noise data corresponding to an ambient noise level, receiving false positive data corresponding to a rate of false positive object detection occurrences; determining an object detection range spanning a distance defined by a minimum range of object detection and a maximum range of object detection for the LiDAR system; generating an object detection threshold value for detecting objects based on the noise data and the rate of false positive data; applying the object detection threshold value to each of a plurality of range values within the object detection range; and applying a gain sensitivity profile to the object detection threshold value at each of a plurality of range values.

Multi-threshold LIDAR detection

Real-time estimation of DC bias and noise power of light detection and ranging (LiDAR)

Disclosed are techniques for improving the probability of detection and the probability of false alarm of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. A receiver of the LiDAR system is configured to obtain a noise signal vector for an operation condition and determine the coefficients of a matched filter based on the noise signal vector. The matched filter is used to filter a returned signal vector corresponding to returned light detected by the receiver. The receiver detects an object in the field of view of the LiDAR system based on identifying, in the returned signal vector filtered by the matched filter, a pulse having a peak higher than a threshold value. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to determine the threshold value based on the noise signal vector, energy of the transmitted signal, and a desired false alarm rate.

Constant false alarm rate detection in pulsed LiDAR systems

In some embodiments, a method for operating a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system in an automobile provides a more accurate range estimate by combining multiple processed waveforms which are weighted according to their signal to noise ratios. At least one waveform is transmitted within a first time period, and reflected of an object. The reflected waveform is received and processed to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR). The processing produces a higher number of output waveforms, such as through processing convolution. The SNR for each of the output waveforms is determined. An estimated range to the object from each output waveform is determined. The estimated ranges are then weighted according to their SNRs, and combined to provide an final determined range to the object.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Zhenghan Zhu