A system and method for lidar blockage detection

A method for surveying a Field of View (FOV) by a LIDAR system, the method comprising:

• projecting first light with first illumination parameters, deflected by a scanning system through a window toward an FOV of the LIDAR system;
• receiving, by a light-sensitive detector, light reflected from objects in the FOV and deflected by the scanning system;
• analyzing detected light and determining information about the objects,
• projecting second light with second illumination parameters, toward a window vicinity;
• wherein the first illumination parameters differ from second illumination parameters by at least one illumination parameter;
• receiving, by the light-sensitive detector, second light reflections reflected in response to the second light and deflected by the scanning system;
• and
• determine a location of a window blockage based on analysis of the second light reflections and position information of the scanning unit.

A LIDAR system for surveying a Field of View (FOV), comprising:

• an illumination system, a light-sensitive detector, a scanning unit and at least one processing unit configured to:
• control the illumination unit to project first light with first illumination parameters and second light with second illumination parameters, wherein the first illumination parameters differ from second illumination parameters by at least one illumination parameter;
• control the scanning unit to deflect the first light through a window toward the FOV and optionally deflect the second light toward the window, and deflect light reflected from the FOV and the vicinity of the window toward the light-sensitive detector;
• analyze light detected by the light-sensitive detector in response to receiving light reflected from at least one object in the field of view and light reflected in response to second light, and
• determine a location of an obstruction on the window based on analysis of reflections in response to the second light, and position information of the scanning unit.