Lidar with phase light modulator

A method comprising:

• directing a first light beam from a first light source towards a phase light modulator;
• modulating the first light beam by the phase light modulator to provide a first modulated light beam directed towards a first field of view;
• directing a second light beam from a second light source towards the phase light modulator;
• modulating the second light beam by the phase light modulator to provide a second modulated light beam directed towards a second field of view;
• detecting a reflection of the first modulated light beam from the first field of view by a first light detector;
• and
• detecting a reflection of the second modulated light beam from the second field of view by a second light detector.

A vehicle comprising:

• a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:
• a phase light modulator;
• a first light source optically coupled to the phase light modulator, the first light source configured to produce a first light beam and positioned to direct the first light beam towards the phase light modulator at a first angle of incidence, the phase light modulator configured to modulate the first light beam to provide a first modulated light beam and to direct the first modulated light beam towards a first field of view responsive to the first light beam;
• a second light source optically coupled to the phase light modulator, the second light source configured to generate a second light beam and positioned to direct the second light beam towards the phase light modulator at a second angle of incidence, the phase light modulator configured modulate the second light beam to provide a second modulated light beam and to direct the second modulated light beam towards a second field of view responsive to the second light beam;
• a first light detector configured to receive a reflection of the first modulated light beam from the first field of view;
• and
• a second light detector configured to detect a reflection of the second modulated light beam from the second field of view.

A system comprising:

• a phase light modulator;
• a first light source optically coupled to the phase light modulator;
• a second light source optically coupled to the phase light modulator;
• a controller coupled to the phase light modulator, to the first light source, and to the second light source, the controller configured to instruct the first light source to produce a first light beam, instruct the second light source to produce a second light beam, and instruct the phase light modulator to:
• modulate the first light beam to produce a first modulated light beam and direct the first modulated light beam towards a first field of view, the first light beam received by the phase light modulator at a first angle;
• and
• modulate the second light beam to produce a second modulated light beam and direct the second modulated light beam towards a second field of view, the second light beam received by the phase light modulator at a second angle;
• a first light detector configured to receive a reflection of the first modulated light beam from the first field of view;
• and
• a second light detector configured to detect a reflection of the second modulated light beam from the second field of view.