Selective attenuation of light provided to detector in lidar sensor based on signal intensity

A method of operating a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a detector, backscattered light backscattered from at least one measurement location;
• determining, at the detector, a current intensity of the backscattered light;
• selecting, using at least one processor, at least one of (1) a particular attenuator or (2) an attenuation level to use based on the current intensity of the backscattered light;
• and
• selectively attenuating the backscattered light based on at least one of:
• (1) characteristics of the particular attenuator or (2) the attenuation level to use as selected for the current intensity of the backscattered light.

A system comprising:

• a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor configured to receive backscattered light having a current intensity from at least one atmospheric region;
• at least one attenuator configured to attenuate the current intensity of the backscattered light;
• and
• circuitry configured to:
• determine the current intensity of the backscattered light;
• and
• cause the at least one attenuator to attenuate the backscattered light based on the current intensity.