Long range steerable LIDAR system

A system comprising:

• a vehicle;
• a sensing device configured to provide environmental data indicative of an environment around the vehicle, wherein the sensing device is coupled to the vehicle;
• a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, wherein the LIDAR device is coupled to the vehicle;
• a controller configured to:
• receive the environmental data;
• determine, based on the environmental data, target information indicative of an initial three-dimensional (3D) representation of the environment of the vehicle, wherein the target information is further indicative of at least one of:
• a type of object, a size of an object, a shape of an object, a position, a location, or an angle range;
• cause the rotational mount to rotate so as to adjust a pointing direction of the LIDAR based at least on the target information;
• cause the LIDAR to scan a field-of-view (FOV) of the environment, wherein the FOV extends away from the LIDAR along the pointing direction;
• and
• determine a 3D representation of the environment based on data from scanning the FOV.

A method comprising:

• receiving target information by a controller of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, wherein the target information is based on an initial three-dimensional (3D) representation of the environment of the LIDAR and is indicative at least one of:
• a type of object, a size of an object, a shape of an object, a distance, a position, or an angle range;
• causing a light source of the LIDAR to emit light within a wavelength range, wherein the light source comprises a fiber laser;
• causing a scanning portion of the LIDAR to direct the emitted light in a reciprocating manner about a first axis;
• in response to receiving the target information, causing a rotational mount coupled to the LIDAR to rotate so as to adjust a pointing direction of the LIDAR, wherein the rotational mount is configured to rotate about a second axis;
• causing the LIDAR to scan a field-of-view (FOV) of the environment, wherein the FOV extends away from the LIDAR along the pointing direction;
• and
• determining a 3D representation of the environment based on data from scanning the FOV.