Optical source driver circuit for depth imager

Abstract

A depth imager such as a time of flight camera comprises a driver circuit and an optical source. The driver circuit comprises a frequency control module and a controllable oscillator having a control input coupled to an output of the frequency control module. An output of the controllable oscillator is coupled to an input of the optical source, and a driver signal provided by the driver circuit to the optical source utilizing the controllable oscillator varies in frequency under control of the frequency control module in accordance with a designated type of frequency variation, such as a ramped or stepped variation. The driver circuit may additionally or alternatively comprise an amplitude control module, such that a driver signal provided to the optical source varies in amplitude under control of the amplitude control module in accordance with a designated type of amplitude variation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.