Use of multiple steering mechanisms in scanning

A LIDAR system, comprising:

• a signal steering mechanism configured to steer a system output signal in a field of view, the system output signal being output from the LIDAR system,
• the signal steering mechanism including multiple utility waveguides that are each configured to guide a utility light signal and output a LIDAR output signal that includes light from the utility light signal,
• each of the utility waveguides including an amplifier configured to amplify a power level of the utility light signal guided in the utility waveguide, and
• a redirection component configured to output a component output signal that includes light from the LIDAR output signal,
• a direction that the component output signal travels away from the redirection component changing in response to a change in which one of the amplifiers amplifies one of the utility light signals.

A LIDAR system, comprising:

• a beam steering mechanism and a signal steering mechanism that are each configured to steer a system output signal in a field of view, the system output signal being output from the LIDAR system,
• a path of system output signal in the field of view having a contribution from the beam steering mechanism and the signal steering mechanism,
• the contribution of the beam steering mechanism to the path being movement of the system output signal on a two-dimensional path back and forth across the field of view, and
• the contribution of the signal steering mechanism to the path being movement of the system output signal transverse to the two-dimensional path contribution provided by the beam steering mechanism.

A system, comprising:

• a LIDAR system configured to output multiple different system output signals that each travels away from the LIDAR system in a different direction and to receive system return signals that each carries light from a different one of the system output signals,
• the LIDAR system configured to combine light from each of the system return signals with a reference signal so as to generate a signal beating at a beat frequency;
• electronics that include an electrical demulitplexer that receives multiple different electrical data signals, each of the electrical data signals indicating one of the beat frequencies;
• the electronics selecting a portion of the data signals and operating the electrical demultiplexer such that the electrical demulitplexer outputs the selected portion of the data signals;
• and
• the electronics including a LIDAR data generator configured to calculate LIDAR data from the beat frequency indicated by the selected portion of data signals, the LIDAR data indicating a distance and/or a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object located outside of the LIAR system.