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US 12,253,630 B2Granted
Optical phased arrays and spherical shift invariant sensors for use in advanced LIDAR systems
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
InventorsYuzuru Takashima, Matthew Salem
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Abstract
A LIDAR system architecture which transmits light via an optical phased array and receives the reflected signal with a spherically shift invariant sensor. Phased arrays offer the ability to quickly scan a desired area by manipulating the electrical, or in this case-thermal, properties of an array of sensors. Similarly spherically shift invariant systems offer the ability to bring light into focus at the same location regardless of its angle of arrival.
Claims14
A LIDAR system, comprising:
- a. an optical transmitter configured to transmit a narrow high power beam, wherein the optical transmitter uses a photonic band gap structure having elements spaced at approximately 0.5 wavelength to eliminate grating lobes, wherein the photonic band gap structure comprises an array of high dielectric rods embedded in a low dielectric material, wherein the rods are each spaced approximately 0.5 wavelength apart;
- and
- b. a receiver comprising a macroscopic lens array and a radially symmetrical Luneburg type lens to bring light from any direction into focus at its center, whereby an active detection system is formed which can scan a full 360 degree spherical field of view.
An optical transmitter, comprising:
- a. a fiber input for inputting light;
- b. a primary reflector positioned to receive the input light, wherein the primary reflector is cone shaped with its reflective walls tapering inwardly towards a point from the photonic structure;
- c. a secondary reflector positioned to receive light reflected off of the primary reflector;
- and
- d. a photonic structure comprising an array of high dielectric rods embedded in a low dielectric material, wherein the dielectric rods are spaced at approximately 0.5 wavelength apart.
2 more elements
A receiver, comprising:
- a. a macroscopic lens array being spherical of predetermined diameter;
- and
- b. a radially symmetrical Luneburg type lens positioned at the center of the macroscopic lens array and sized about 40% of the predetermined diameter, configured to bring light from any direction into focus at its center, whereby an active detection system is formed which can scan a full 360 degree spherical field of view.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.