Resolving return signals among pixels in frequency-modulated continuous-wave (fmcw) lidar systems

Abstract

This document describes techniques and systems to resolve return signals among pixels in lidar systems. The described lidar system transmits signals with different waveforms for consecutive pixels to associate return signals with their corresponding pixels. During a detection window, the lidar system receives a return signal and compares it in the frequency domain to at least two template signals. The template signals include the waveform of an initial pixel and a subsequent pixel of two consecutive pixels, respectively. The lidar system then determines, based on the comparison to the template signals, the pixel to which the return signal corresponds and determines a characteristic of an object that reflected the return signal. In this way, the lidar system can confidently resolve detections to reduce the time between pixels. This improvement allows the described lidar system to operate at faster scanning speeds and realize a faster reaction time for automotive applications.