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US 12,222,451 B2Granted
Heat dissipation for LIDAR sensors
AssigneeAurora Operations, Inc.
InventorsSen Lin, Lei Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device includes a substrate layer, a cladding layer, a waveguide, and an ohmic element. The cladding layer is disposed with the substrate layer. The waveguide runs through the cladding layer. The ohmic element runs through the cladding layer. The ohmic element is arranged to impart heat to the waveguide when an electrical current is driven through the ohmic element.
Claims20
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device comprising:
- a substrate layer;
- a cladding layer disposed on the substrate layer;
- a waveguide configured for propagating light, wherein at least a portion of the waveguide runs through the cladding layer;
- and
- an ohmic element, wherein at least a portion of the ohmic element runs through the cladding layer, wherein the waveguide is disposed within the cladding layer between the ohmic element and the substrate layer, and wherein the ohmic element is arranged to impart heat to the waveguide in response to an electrical current that is provided to the ohmic element;
- wherein a frequency of the light propagating through the waveguide is modulated by the electrical current provided to the ohmic element.
3 more elements
An autonomous vehicle control system for an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle control system comprising:
- a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device including:
- a substrate layer;
- a cladding layer disposed on the substrate layer,
- a waveguide configured for propagating an infrared transmit beam into an external environment of the autonomous vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the waveguide runs through the cladding layer;
- and
- an ohmic element, wherein at least a portion of the ohmic element runs through the cladding layer, wherein the waveguide is disposed within the cladding layer between the ohmic element and the substrate layer, and wherein the ohmic element is arranged to impart heat to the waveguide in response to an electrical current that is provided to the ohmic element;
- wherein a frequency of the infrared transmit beam propagating through the waveguide is modulated by the electrical current provided to the ohmic element;
- and
- one or more processors configured to control the autonomous vehicle in response to an infrared returning beam that is a reflection of the infrared transmit beam.
6 more elements
An autonomous vehicle comprising:
- a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor including:
- a substrate layer;
- a cladding layer disposed on the substrate layer, a waveguide configured for propagating an infrared transmit beam into an external environment of the autonomous vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the waveguide runs through the cladding layer;
- and
- an ohmic element, wherein at least a portion of the ohmic element runs through the cladding layer, wherein the waveguide is disposed within the cladding layer between the ohmic element and the substrate layer and wherein the ohmic element is arranged to impart heat to the waveguide in response to an electrical current that is provided to the ohmic element;
- and
- wherein a frequency of the infrared transmit beam propagating through the waveguide is modulated by the electrical current provided to the ohmic element;
- and
- a control system configured to control the autonomous vehicle in response to an infrared returning beam that is a reflection of the infrared transmit beam.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.