Distributing LIDAR system components

A vehicle, comprising:

• a body;
• a first housing containing at least one processor configured to control at least one light source in a manner enabling light flux of the at least one light source to vary over scans of a field of view;
• a plurality of second housings configured for location in the vehicle remote from the first housing, the each second housing containing at least one light deflector configured to deflect light from the at least one light source, and at least one actuator configured to move the at least one light deflector such that during a single scanning cycle the light deflector moves through a plurality of different instantaneous positions in order to scan the field of view;
• and
• a plurality of data conduits configured to interconnect the first housing with the plurality of second housings, each data conduit being configured to cooperate with the at least one processor and the at least one actuator to enable a forward path from the first housing to each second housing and a return path from each second housing to the first housing, such that the forward path is enabled to convey control signals for controlling the at least one actuator and the return path is enabled to convey to the at least one processor reflections signals indicative of light reflected from objects in the field of view.

A LIDAR system for use in a vehicle, the LIDAR system comprising:

• a first housing containing at least one processor configured to control at least one light source in a manner enabling light flux of the at least one light source to vary over a single scan of a field of view;
• at least one second housing configured for location in the vehicle remote from the first housing, the at least one second housing containing a controllable light deflector configured to deflect light from the at least one light source, and at least one actuator configured to move the light deflector such that during a single scanning cycle the light deflector moves through a plurality of different instantaneous positions in order to scan the field of view;
• and
• at least one data conduit configured to interconnect the first housing and the at least one second housing, the data conduit is associated with a forward path from the first housing to the at least one second housing and a return path from the at least one second housing to the first housing, wherein the data conduit is configured to cooperate with the at least one processor and the at least one actuator such that the forward path is enabled to convey control signals for controlling the at least one actuator and the return path is enabled to convey to the at least one processor reflections signals indicative of light reflected from objects in the field of view,
• wherein the at least one second housing includes a plurality of second housings, each including at least one light deflector and at least one actuator, and wherein the plurality of second housings are configured to be located remote from each other and from the first housing, and
• the at least one processor within the first housing is configured to synchronize an operation of a plurality of light deflectors and a plurality of actuators in the plurality of second housings.