The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 2017
Filed:
Dec. 30, 2014
Naresh Satyan, Pasadena, CA (US);
Arseny Vasilyev, San Jose, CA (US);
George Rakuljic, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Amnon Yariv, Pasadena, CA (US);
Naresh Satyan, Pasadena, CA (US);
Arseny Vasilyev, San Jose, CA (US);
George Rakuljic, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Amnon Yariv, Pasadena, CA (US);
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US);
Telaris Inc., Santa Monica, CA (US);
Abstract
A detection apparatus and method for FMCW LIDAR employ signals whose frequencies are modified so that low-cost and low-speed photodetector arrays, such as CCD or CMOS cameras, can be employed for range detection. The LIDAR is designed to measure the range z to a target and includes a single mode swept frequency laser (SFL), whose optical frequency is varied with time, as a result of which, a target beam which is reflected back by the target is shifted in frequency from a reference beam by an amount that is proportional to the relative range z to the target. The reflected target beam is combined with the reference beam and detected by the photodetector array. By first modulating at least one of the target and reference beams such that the difference between the frequencies of the reflected target beam and the reference beam is reduced to a level that is within the bandwidth of the photodetector array, the need for high-speed detector arrays for full-field imaging is obviated.