Light detecting and ranging sensing apparatus and methods

An optical apparatus for use in a LiDAR sensing system, the optical apparatus comprising:

• an optical circulator positioned to receive and direct optical rays;
• an optical directing device;
• an optical detector;
• and
• an optical fiber,
• wherein the optical fiber is positioned to receive outgoing optical rays directed to the optical fiber by the optical circulator and to direct the outgoing optical rays toward the optical directing device,
• the optical directing device is configured to focus the outgoing optical rays toward a target, and further to focus reflected optical rays reflected from the target toward the optical fiber,
• the optical fiber is positioned to receive the reflected optical rays focused from the optical directing device and to direct the reflected optical rays toward the optical circulator, and
• the optical circulator is positioned to direct the reflected optical rays toward the detector.

An optical apparatus for use in a LiDAR sensing system, the optical apparatus comprising:

• an optical directing device comprising at least one of a lens and a mirror;
• an optical detector;
• and
• an optical fiber,
• wherein the optical fiber is positioned to receive outgoing optical rays directed to the optical fiber from a light source and to direct the outgoing optical rays toward the optical directing device,
• the optical directing device is configured to focus the outgoing optical rays toward a target through the at least one of a lens and a mirror, and further to focus reflected optical rays reflected from the target toward the optical fiber through the same at least one of a lens and a mirror, and
• the optical fiber is positioned to receive the reflected optical rays focused from the optical directing device and to direct the reflected optical rays toward the detector.