Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system including integrated light source
AssigneeAurora Operations, Inc.
InventorsAmir Hosseini, Sen Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system mounted to a vehicle includes a first device and a second device coupled to the first device. The first device includes a laser source and one or more optical components. The first device is configured to output an optical signal associated with a local oscillator (LO) signal. The second device includes an optical amplifier array device and a transceiver device. The optical amplifier array device includes an integrated optical component and is configured to amplify the optical signal. The transceiver device is configured to transmit the amplified optical signal to an environment and receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment.
Claims20
A device for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, the LIDAR system comprising:
- a lens array coupled to receive a transmit signal and output a plurality of amplified transmit signals;
- a first semiconductor circuit configured to amplify the transmit signal, the first semiconductor circuit including a plurality of optical amplifiers, an output of one of the plurality of optical amplifiers coupled to receive the transmit signal from the lens array and outputs of a remainder of the plurality of optical amplifiers coupled to provide the plurality of amplified transmit signals to the lens array;
- and
- a second semiconductor circuit configured to split the transmit signal and generate a plurality of transmit signals, the second semiconductor circuit coupled to receive the transmit signal from an input of one of the plurality of optical amplifiers of the first semiconductor circuit corresponding to the output, and the second semiconductor circuit coupled to output the plurality of transmit signals to inputs of a remainder of the plurality of optical amplifiers of the first semiconductor circuit.
A device for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, the LIDAR system comprising:
- a semiconductor circuit configured to amplify a plurality of optical signals, the semiconductor circuit including a plurality of optical amplifiers, a respective one of the plurality of optical amplifiers coupled to receive a respective one of the plurality of optical signals through a corresponding input and provide a respective one of a plurality of amplified optical signals through a corresponding output, the semiconductor circuit having an input side for hybrid integration;
- and
- a lens array coupled to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals, a respective one of a plurality of inputs of the lens array coupled to the corresponding output of the respective one of the plurality of optical amplifiers of the semiconductor circuit to receive the respective one of the plurality of amplified optical signals, the lens array configured to provide a bundle of optical output paths.
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for an autonomous vehicle control system having a transmitter amplifier assembly comprising:
- a lens array coupled to receive a transmit signal and output a plurality of amplified transmit signals;
- a first semiconductor circuit for amplifying the transmit signal, the first semiconductor circuit including a plurality of optical amplifiers, an output of one of the plurality of optical amplifiers coupled to receive the transmit signal from the lens array and outputs of a remainder of the plurality of optical amplifiers coupled to provide the plurality of amplified transmit signals to the lens array;
- and
- a second semiconductor circuit for splitting the transmit signal and generating a plurality of transmit signals, the second semiconductor circuit coupled to receive the transmit signal from an input of one of the plurality of optical amplifiers of the first semiconductor circuit corresponding to the output, and the second semiconductor circuit coupled to output the plurality of transmit signals to inputs of a remainder of the plurality of optical amplifiers of the first semiconductor circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.