Reduced-size FMCW heterodyne-detection lidar imager system

An FMCW lidar imager system, configured to determine a distance zsc between the FMCW lidar imager system and a scene, comprising:

• an optical source, configured to emit a coherent, continuous and frequency-modulated primary signal in order to illuminate the scene;
• an optical collection element, configured to collect a portion, called collected signal, of a signal backscattered by the scene and originating from the primary signal;
• a photodetector, intended to receive a heterodyne signal associated with the collected signal;
• a processing unit, configured to determine the distance zsc from the scene based on a beat frequency of the heterodyne signal;
• wherein the FMCW lidar imager system is configured to fully direct the primary signal to the scene;
• and wherein the FMCW lidar imager system comprises a reflector configured to reflect in the direction of the scene, a portion, called uncollected signal, of the backscattered signal, not collected by the optical collection element,
• the collected portion of the backscattered signal then being formed of first light beams that have not been reflected by the reflector and of second light beams that have been reflected by the reflector and then by the scene;
• the heterodyne signal then being formed by an interference between the first light beams and the second light beams.