Continuous wave laser detection and ranging
AssigneeArete Associates
InventorPaul Bryan Lundquist
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). In one embodiment, a Lidar system includes a laser operable to propagate continuous wave (CW) laser light and a scanner operable as a transmitter and a receiver for the CW laser light. The Lidar system also includes a detector for determining a range to a target based on displacement of the CW laser light received by the receiver. The displacement of the CW laser light is proportional to an angular velocity of the scanner.
Claims20
A Laser Ranging and Detection (Lidar) system, comprising:
- a laser configured to propagate laser light in a conical pattern;
- a rotating scanner configured to receive returns of the laser light from a target;
- and a processor configured to calculate a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement of the scanner that arises from an angular velocity of the scanner.
A Laser Ranging and Detection (Lidar) method, comprising:
- propagating laser light from a laser in a conical pattern;
- receiving returns of the laser light from a target via a rotating scanner;
- and calculating a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement of the scanner that arises from an angular velocity of the scanner.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor in a Laser Ranging and Detection (Lidar) system, direct the processor to:
- propagate laser light in a conical pattern;
- receive returns of the laser light returning to a rotating scanner from a target;
- and calculate a range and an angle to the target using an angular displacement of the scanner that arises from an angular velocity of the scanner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.