Programmable pseudo-random sequence generator for use with universal lidar and its associated method of operation

A pseudo-random sequence generator for use in a lidar system, comprising:

• a clock that produces a clock signal at a signal frequency;
• shift registers, synchronized by said clock signal, that arranged in series between a first shift register and a last shift register, wherein each of said shift registers have a signal input and a signal output;
• binary adders;
• switches connected between said signal input of each of said shift registers and said binary adders, wherein each of said switches can be selectively altered between an open state and a closed state;
• a programming interface for selectively altering said switches between said open state and said closed state, and wherein said programming interface limits said plurality of switches in said closed state at any time to two;
• wherein said binary adders generate an output signal that is received by said first shift register, and wherein said last shift register outputs a pseudo-random sequence.

A method of generating a pseudo-random sequence for use in a universal lidar system, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating a clock signal having a signal frequency;
• providing a plurality of shift registers that are arranged in series between a first shift register and a last shift register, wherein each of said shift registers has a signal input and a signal output;
• synchronizing said plurality of shift registers to said clock signal;
• providing binary adders that are connected to said signal input of said first shift register;
• using switches to selectively connect said signal input of only two of said plurality of shift registers to said binary adders, wherein said binary adders generate an output signal that is received by said first shift register, and wherein said last shift register outputs a pseudo-random sequence;
• a double pole switch that receives said clock signal and said pseudo-random sequence from said last shift register, wherein said double pole switch can switch between said pseudo-random sequence and said clock signal to produce an output signal that is either a pseudorandom pattern of a selected periodicity or said signal frequency of said clock.