Operating method for a LIDAR system, control unit, LIDAR system, and device

An apparatus for a LIDAR system, comprising:

• a control unit configured to perform the following:
• using, as a light source unit, a laser device that includes an optical modulator optically coupled thereto for receiving and modulating the frequency of non-modulated light emitted by the laser device, using a frequency modulation function, and for outputting frequency-modulated light as primary light into a visual field;
• optically superimposing secondary light received from the visual field and non-modulated light of the laser device, to form superimposed detection light;
• photoelectrically detecting the superimposed detection light by generating and outputting a primary electrical detection signal that is representative of the detection light;
• and
• electrically mixing, for an evaluation, the primary electrical detection signal with an electrical signal that is representative of the frequency modulation function of the optical modulator to form a first evaluation signal, and assessing the first evaluation signal.

A LIDAR system, comprising:

• a transmitter optical system that is configured to generate and emit primary light into a visual field for illuminating the visual field;
• a receiver optical system configured to receive, detect, and evaluate secondary light from the visual field;
• and
• a control unit configured to control operation of the transmitter optical system and/or of the receiver optical system, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the following:
• optically superimposing the secondary light received from the visual field and non-modulated light of a laser device of the transmitter optical system, to form superimposed detection light;
• photoelectrically detecting the superimposed detection light by generating and outputting a primary electrical detection signal that is representative of the detection light;
• and
• electrically mixing, for an evaluation, the primary electrical detection signal with an electrical signal that is representative of the frequency modulation function of the optical modulator to form a first evaluation signal, and assessing the first evaluation signal.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a LIDAR system including:
• a transmitter optical system configured to generate and emit primary light into a visual field for illuminating the visual field;
• a receiver optical system configured to receive, detect, and evaluate secondary light from the visual field;
• and
• a control unit configured to control operation of the transmitter optical system and/or of the receiver optical system, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the following:
• optically superimposing the secondary light, which is received from the visual field and non-modulated light of a laser device of the transmitter optical system, to form superimposed detection light;
• photoelectrically detecting the superimposed detection light by generating and outputting a primary electrical detection signal that is representative of the detection light;
• and
• electrically mixing, for an evaluation, the primary electrical detection signal with an electrical signal that is representative of the frequency modulation function of the optical modulator to form a first evaluation signal, and assessing the first evaluation signal.