Communication system for LIDAR sensors used in a vehicle comprising a rotary joint with a bearing waveguide for coupling signals with communication chips

A method comprising:

• coupling, by a first interface waveguide, a first electromagnetic signal from a first antenna into a first waveguide section, wherein the first waveguide section includes a first distal end bordering a bearing waveguide of a rotary joint and a first proximal end to which the first interface waveguide is coupled;
• transmitting by a first communication chip, the first electromagnetic signal into the first interface waveguide, wherein the first communication chip is part of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor;
• coupling the first electromagnetic signal from the first waveguide section to a first end of the bearing waveguide of the rotary joint, wherein the bearing waveguide comprises the first end bordering the first distal end of the first waveguide section and a second end bordering a second distal end of a second waveguide section;
• coupling the first electromagnetic signal from the bearing waveguide to the second waveguide section, wherein the second waveguide section includes the second distal end bordering the bearing waveguide and a second proximal end to which a second interface waveguide is coupled;
• coupling the first electromagnetic signal from the second waveguide section into the second interface waveguide;
• coupling, by the second interface waveguide, the first electromagnetic signal to a second antenna;
• and
• wherein the rotary joint is configured to allow the first waveguide section to rotate with respect to the second waveguide section.

A vehicle comprising:

• a sensor unit comprising a first communication chip that includes a first antenna and a second antenna;
• a second communication chip disposed at a location different from the sensor unit, wherein the second communication chip includes a third antenna and a fourth antenna, and wherein the first communication chip and the second communication chip are configured to engage in two-way communication with each other;
• a rotary joint comprising a bearing waveguide;
• a first electrical coupling comprising:
• a first plurality of interface waveguides configured to enable electromagnetic signals to propagate to the first antenna and the second antenna of the first communication chip and propagate from the first antenna and the second antenna of the first communication chip, and
• a first waveguide section having a first distal end bordering the bearing waveguide and a first proximal end to which the first plurality of interface waveguides are coupled;
• and
• a second electrical coupling comprising:
• a second plurality of interface waveguides configured to enable electromagnetic signals to propagate to the third antenna and the fourth antenna of the second communication chip and propagate from the third antenna and the fourth antenna of the second communication chip, and
• a second waveguide section having a second distal end bordering the bearing waveguide and a second proximal end to which the second plurality of interface waveguides are coupled,
• wherein the rotary joint is configured to allow the first electrical coupling to rotate with respect to the second electrical coupling, and wherein the bearing waveguide allows electromagnetic signals to propagate between the first waveguide section and the second waveguide section.