Dual photodiode light detection and ranging

Abstract

LiDAR optical paths, particularly in co-located emitter/receiver path configurations, can introduce unintended and unwanted reflections due to mirrors, lenses, and/or enclosure materials or glass that can fall on one or more photosensors. These un-desirable signals can cause significant disruptions in output amplifier biasing and/or severe channel saturation. Autonomous vehicle LiDAR is particularly challenging as packaging requirements require complex optics to direct the laser source; the target size, shape, and relative velocity, and distance to the autonomous vehicle are unknown; and the location of the target objects within range are potentially rapidly changing over time. The presently disclosed dual photodiode LiDAR systems are used to separate and compensate for errors introduced by LiDAR optics to improve the accuracy and reliability of LiDAR systems, including but not limited to autonomous vehicle LiDAR systems.