Optical coupler for LIDAR sensor
AssigneeOURS Technology, LLC
InventorsSen Lin, Andrew Steil Michaels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device includes a waveguide, cladding, and a scattering array. The waveguide is configured to route an infrared optical field. The cladding is disposed around the waveguide. The scattering array is formed in the cladding. The scattering array is configured to perturb the infrared optical field routed by the waveguide to direct the infrared optical field into an infrared beam propagating toward a surface of the cladding.
Claims19
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device comprising:
- a waveguide configured to route an infrared optical field;
- a cladding disposed around the waveguide;
- and
- a scattering array formed in the cladding, wherein the scattering array is configured to perturb the infrared optical field routed by the waveguide to direct the infrared optical field into an infrared beam propagating toward a surface of the cladding, wherein the scattering array is spaced apart from the waveguide by a spacing distance to allow a tail of the infrared optical field to interact with the scattering array and to scatter light out of the waveguide as the infrared beam.
An autonomous vehicle control system for an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle control system comprising:
- a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device including:
- a waveguide configured to route an infrared optical field;
- a cladding disposed around the waveguide;
- and
- a scattering array formed in the cladding, wherein the scattering array is configured to perturb the infrared optical field routed by the waveguide to direct the infrared optical field into an infrared transmit beam, wherein the scattering array is spaced apart from the waveguide by a spacing distance to allow a tail of the infrared optical field to interact with the scattering array and to scatter light out of the waveguide as the infrared transmit beam;
- and
- one or more processors configured to control the autonomous vehicle in response to an infrared returning beam that is a reflection of the infrared transmit beam.
An autonomous vehicle comprising:
- a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor including:
- a waveguide configured to route an infrared optical field;
- a cladding disposed around the waveguide;
- and
- a scattering array formed in the cladding, wherein the scattering array is configured to perturb the infrared optical field routed by the waveguide to direct the infrared optical field into an infrared transmit beam, wherein the scattering array is spaced apart from the waveguide by a spacing distance to allow a tail of the infrared optical field to interact with the scattering array and to scatter light out of the waveguide as the infrared transmit beam;
- and
- one or more processors configured to control the autonomous vehicle in response to an infrared returning beam that is a reflection of the infrared transmit beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.