High utilization scanning LIDAR system

A method of scanning a field of view (FOV) of a LIDAR system, comprising:

• using at least one processor configured for:
• operating at least one light source of a LIDAR system to emit light;
• operating at least one rotatable light deflector to rotate, the at least one light deflector has a plurality of reflective facets;
• operating, at first time segment of a scan period of the LIDAR system, at least one optical switch interposed between the at least one light source and the at least one rotatable light deflector to switch to a first state for directing the light emitted by the at least one light source towards the FOV via a first reflective facet of the plurality of reflective facets of the at least one rotatable light deflector;
• and
• operating, at second time segment of the scan period, the at least one optical switch to switch to a second state for directing the emitted light towards the FOV via a second reflective facet of the plurality of reflective facets.

A LIDAR system, comprising:

• at least one light source configured to emit a plurality of light beams;
• at least one light sensor configured to receive light;
• at least one rotatable light deflector having a plurality of reflective facets for directing light beams emitted by the at least one light source to scan a field of view (FOV) of the LIDAR system and directing light reflected from the FOV towards the at least one light sensor;
• and
• at least one processor configured for:
• operating the at least one light source, at a first time segment of a scan period of the LIDAR system, to emit a first subset of light beams towards the FOV via a first reflective facet of the at least one rotatable light deflector and directing light reflected from the FOV towards the at least one light sensor via the first reflective facet;
• and
• operating the at least one light source, at a second time segment of the scan period, to emit a second subset of light beams towards the FOV via a second reflective facet of the at least one rotatable light deflector and directing light reflected from the FOV towards the at least one light sensor via the second reflective facet.