SiLC Technologies, Inc.

A LIDAR system concurrently outputs multiple LIDAR output signals that concurrently illuminate the same sample region in a field of view for a data period. The sample region is one of multiple sample regions included in the field of view. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that use the multiple LIDAR output signals to generate LIDAR data for the sample region. The LIDAR data includes a distance and/or a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object that reflects the LIDAR output signals.

A LIDAR system outputs a system output signal and receives a system return signal that includes light from the system output signal that was reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system includes multiple composite signal generators that receive comparative signals. Each of the composite signal generators receives a different one of the comparative signals and each of the comparative signals includes light from the system return signal. Each of the composite signal generators also receive multiple reference signals such that each of the composite signal generators receives a different one of the reference signals. Different composite signal generators receive reference signals having different power levels. The composite signal generators combine the reference signal received by the composite signal generator with the reference signal received by the composite signal generator so as to generate a composite signal.

The LIDAR system outputs a system output signal and receives a system return signal that includes light from the system output signal that was reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system includes data lines that each carries a different preliminary channel signal. A selection of the preliminary channel signals is beating at a beat frequency. Each of the preliminary channel signals in the selection of the preliminary channel signals is generated from light included in the system return signal. The LIDAR system includes bandpass filter components. Each of the bandpass filter components receives a different one of the preliminary channel signals and outputs a channel signal on a different filtered data line. The channel signal output by each of the bandpass filter components is a representation of the preliminary channel signal received by the bandpass filter component filtered by one or more bandpass filters included in the bandpass filter component.

Operating the LIDAR system includes transmitting a system output signal from the LIDAR system such that a sample region is illuminated by the system output signal. Different portions of the system output signal are transmitted during different data periods. The method also includes combining light that returns to the LIDAR system from the system output signal with light from a reference signal so as to generate beating signals that are each associated with a different one of the data periods. A set of multiple candidate frequencies is generated for each of the data periods. Each of the candidate frequencies for a data period represents a possible beat frequency for the beating signal associated with the data period. The method further includes using the candidate frequencies for a check one of the data periods to identify which of the candidate frequencies for a subject one of the data periods is the beat frequency for the beating signal associated with the subject data period.

The imaging system includes one or more cores. Each of the cores outputs a system output signal that illuminates multiple sample regions in a field of view. A subject one of the cores includes a light combiner that generates a composite signal beating at a beat frequency. Electronics use a value of the beat frequency to calculate multiple different possible LIDAR data solutions for a subject one of the sample regions illuminated by the system output signal output from the subject core. Each of the possible LIDAR data solutions includes a comparative component that indicates a value of a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object in the subject sample region. The electronics identify a correct one of the LIDAR data solutions by comparing the LIDAR data solutions to data calculated for one or more reference sample regions selected from among the sample regions. The one or more reference sample regions are different from the subject sample region.

The system also includes components that combine contributions from different signals so as to generate composite signals that each carries the LIDAR data. Each composite signal is associated with a polarization state and is also a signal component selected from a quadrature component and an in-phase component. Each of the composite signals is associated with a different combination of polarization state and signal component. The system also includes electronics that combine the composite signals so as to generate an in-phase component of a complex LIDAR data signal and a quadrature component of the LIDAR data signal. The electronics extract the LIDAR data from the complex LIDAR data signal.

The system also includes components that combine contributions from different signals so as to generate composite signals that each carries the LIDAR data. Each composite signal is associated with a polarization state and is also a signal component selected from a quadrature component and an in-phase component. Each of the composite signals is associated with a different combination of polarization state and signal component. The system also includes electronics that combine the composite signals so as to generate an in-phase component of a complex LIDAR data signal and a quadrature component of the LIDAR data signal. The electronics extract the LIDAR data from the complex LIDAR data signal.