Control of signal chirp in lidar systems

A LIDAR system, comprising:

• a light source that outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal;
• multiple phase differential generators that each combines a first light signal with a second light signal so as to generate a beating control signal,
• each of the first light signals including light from the outgoing LIDAR signal,
• each of the second light signals including light from the outgoing LIDAR signal,
• each of the beating control signals being generated with a phase difference between the contribution of the first light signal to the beating control signal and the contribution of the second light signal to the beating control signal,
• the phase difference being different for the beating control signals from different phase differential generators,
• each of the beating signals having multiple baseline crossing, and
• the baseline crossings of the beating signals occurring at a frequency;
• and
• electronics that apply a light source control signal to the light source so as to chirp the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal,
• the electronics being configured to modify the light source control signal in response to changes in the frequency of the baseline crossings of the beating control signals.