Application specific integrated circuits for LIDAR sensor and multi-type sensor systems

A method comprising:

• sending, by a master controller, a first enable signal to a receive integrated circuit (IC);
• powering up, by the receive IC, upon receiving the first enable signal, and then sending a second enable signal and one or more control signals to a transmit integrated circuit (IC), wherein the second enable signal is an electrical signal;
• powering up, by the transmit IC, upon receiving the second enable signal, and driving an emitter to emit a first optical signal based on the control signals;
• entering, by the transmit IC, a sleep mode once the emission of the optical signal is completed;
• obtaining, by the receive IC from a detector, an electrical detection signal corresponding to a return optical signal from an object;
• and
• sending, by the receive IC, time of flight data to the master controller, and then entering a sleep mode.

A sensor application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprising:

• a transmit integrated circuit (IC), operable to receive an enable signal from a first receive integrated circuit (IC), power up, and drive an emitter to emit a first laser signal based on one or more control signals received from the first receive IC;
• the first receive IC operable to obtain a detection signal corresponding to a return laser pulse signal from an object, then send time of flight data to a master controller;
• and
• a second receive integrated circuit (IC) operable to extend near field detection.