Lidar system and a method of calibrating the LIDAR system

A Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system mounted to a Self-driving car (SDC) operating in an environment, the LIDAR system having a light source, a scanning unit, a detection unit, and a controller,

• the scanning unit comprising:
• a first reflective component for redirecting a light beam from the light source, the first reflective component being actuatable amongst a first plurality of positions;
• a second actuatable reflective component for redirecting the light beam from the first reflective component towards the environment, the second reflective component being actuatable amongst a second plurality of positions;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of the first reflective component relatively to the second reflective component along two degrees of freedom;
• during calibration of the LIDAR system, the controller being configured to:
• cause the light source to emit the light beam towards the first reflective component;
• cause the first reflective component to actuate amongst the first plurality of positions and the second reflective component amongst the second plurality of positions;
• detect, in collaboration with the detection unit, a self-flashing beam being the light beam redirected by the second reflective component back towards the first reflective component instead of towards the environment;
• and
• in response to a detection of the self-flashing beam, cause the adjustment mechanism to adjust the first reflective component relative to the second reflective component along at least one of the two degrees of freedom such that the first reflective component is actuatable amongst an adjusted first plurality of positions.