LiDAR methods and systems with controlled field of view based on optical fiber movement

A LiDAR system for detecting objects in a region of interest, the system comprising:

• a radiation source for emitting an output beam;
• a first optical fiber with an input end communicatively coupled to the radiation source for receiving the output beam and configured to transmit the output beam having an optical axis along the first optical fiber to an output end for emitting the output beam, the output beam having a first spread;
• an actuator coupled to the first optical fiber for imparting a first optical fiber movement to the output end of the first optical fiber, the first optical fiber movement comprising a plurality of positions of the output end of the first optical fiber defining a total first spread of the output beam when the output end is moving;
• an optical lens positioned by a focal distance from the output end of the first optical fiber, the optical lens being configured to transmit the output beam through the optical lens towards the region of interest and being a diverging lens to cause the output beam to spread by a second spread of the output beam, the second spread being larger than the first spread, and a total second spread of the output beam when the output end is moving being larger than the total first spread;
• and
• a processor for controlling the actuator and the first optical fiber movement to modulate an angle of spread of radiation of the output beam in the region of interest.