SiLC Technologies, Inc.

A LIDAR system is configured to output a system output signal that travels away from the LIDAR system and can be reflected by objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The system output signal has a frequency versus time pattern with a repeated cycle. Each cycle of the frequency versus time pattern includes multiple data periods configured such that the system output signal is chirped differently in different data periods. The LIDAR system also includes electronics configured to generate multiple different sets of LIDAR data. Each set of LIDAR data indicates a radial velocity and/or separation between the LIDAR system and one or more of the objects located outside of the LIDAR system. Each set of LIDAR data is generated from light that is included in the system output signal during a group of multiple data periods. The groups of data periods including one or more common data periods that are each included in two or more different groups of data periods.

Multiple LIDAR output signals are generated and are concurrently directed to the same sample region in a field of view. The LIDAR output signals have one or more optical diversities selected from a group consisting of wavelength diversity, polarization diversity, and diversity of an angle of incidence of the LIDAR output signal relative to the sample region.

A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to generate a LIDAR output signal that exits from a waveguide on the LIDAR chip. The system also includes optics that receive the LIDAR output signal from the waveguide. Electronics are configured to tune an image distance at which the LIDAR output signal is focused after exiting from the optics.

A LIDAR system outputs a system output signal such that the system output signal can be reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The system also receives a system return signal that includes light from the reflected LIDAR output signal. The system return signal and the system output signal each carries a first channel. The LIDAR system combine light that is from the system return signal and that carries the first channel with a reference signal so as to produce a composite signal beating at a beat frequency. Electronics operate the LIDAR system such that the first channel has a series of chirp cycles. Each chirp cycle includes a linear chirp section where a frequency chirp of the channel is linear. Multiple different sample periods fall within each of the linear chirp sections. The electronics calculate LIDAR data for each of the sample periods from the beat frequency of the composite signal during the sample period. The LIDAR data for a sample period indicates the radial velocity and/or distance between the LIDAR system and the object.

A LIDAR system has a beam steering mechanism and a signal steering mechanism that are each configured to steer within a field of view a system output signal that is output from the LIDAR system. A path of system output signal in the field of view has a contribution from the beam steering mechanism and the second mechanism. The contribution of the beam steering mechanism to the path is movement of the system output signal on a two-dimensional path back and forth across the field of view. The contribution of the signal steering mechanism to the path is movement of the system output signal transverse to the two-dimensional path contribution of the provided by the beam steering mechanism.

Systems and methods described herein are directed to optical light sources, such as an external cavity laser (ECL) with an active phase shifter. The system may include control circuitry for controlling one or more parameters associated with the active phase shifter. The phase shifter may be a p-i-n phase shifter. The control circuitry may cause variation in a refractive index associated with the phase shifter, thereby varying a lasing frequency of the ECL. The ECL may be configured to operate as a light source for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system based on generating frequency modulated light signals. In some embodiments, the ECL may generate an output LIDAR signal with alternating segments of increasing and decreasing chirp frequencies. The ECL may exhibit increased stability and improved chirp linearities with less dependence on ambient temperature fluctuations.

A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR assembly configured to output a LIDAR output signal that carries multiple different channels. A directional component has an optical grating that receives the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR assembly. The directional component demultiplexes the LIDAR output signal into multiple LIDAR output channels that each carries a different one of the channels. The directional component is configured to steer a direction that the LIDAR output channels travel away from the LIDAR system.

A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output a source signal. The LIDAR chip is also configured to output a LIDAR output signal that exits from the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR system also includes an isolator adapter that includes an optical isolator configured to receive an adapter signal. The adapter signal includes light that is from the source signal and that has exited from the LIDAR chip before being received by the optical isolator. The isolator is configured to output light from the adapter signal in an isolator output signal. Additionally, the LIDAR output signal includes light from the isolator output signal.

An on-chip optical switch based on an echelle grating and a phase tuning element is described herein. The phase tuning element may change a refractive index of the material through which an optical signal propagates, thereby causing a change in the angle of propagation of the optical signal. By dynamically tuning the phase change element, the refractive index change may be controlled such that the deviation of the optical signal causes the optical signal to be focused on a particular coupling waveguide out of an array of coupling waveguides. The echelle grating with the active phase change element form a configurable optical switch capable of switching an optical signal between two or more coupling waveguides, that may be respectively connected to different optical signal processing pathways.

A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to combine a LIDAR input signal and a reference signal so as to generate a composite light signal. The LIDAR input signal includes light reflected by an object located off of the LIDAR chip. The reference signal does not include light reflected by the object. The system also includes electronics configured to use the composite light signal to approximate a radial velocity between the LIDAR chip and the object. The radial velocity is approximated from a difference between a first distance and a second distance. The first distance is the distance between the object and the LIDAR chip at a first time. The second distance is the distance between the object and the LIDAR chip at a second time.