Eye-Safe Scanning LIDAR System

A LIDAR illuminator comprising:

• a) a laser array comprising a plurality of laser sources that each generate an optical beam when energized at an electrical input, the plurality of laser sources being arranged such that the generated optical beams from at least some of the plurality of laser sources overlap spatially at a target and at least some other of the generated optical beams do not overlap spatially at the target;
• and
• b) a processor comprising a digital output;
• c) a controller having a digital input that is electrically connected to the digital output of the processor, and an output,
• d) a laser driver having an input that is electrically connected to the output of the controller and a plurality of electrical outputs, one of the plurality of electrical outputs being electrically connected to one of the plurality of laser sources, the controller being configured to energize the plurality of laser sources based on a firing pattern rule such that the generated optical beams from at least some of the plurality of laser sources that overlap spatially at the target are not energized at a same time.