Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system and method
First Claim
1. A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system comprising:
- a light source;
an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two dimensional array of light spots on a scene, wherein the two dimensions of the array includes a first dimensional direction and a second dimensional direction;
receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics;
a scanner configured to physically oscillate the arrayed micro-optic and the receiver optics synchronously to scan;
(a) the two dimensional array of light spots and (b) the receiver optics so as to maintain the one-to-one correspondence; and
a scan controller operable to cause the scanner to move the array of light spots back and forth so as to complete a scan of the scene wherein the spots traverse the scene in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction no more than 150% of the distance between adjacent spots in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A LiDAR system and scanning method creates a two-dimensional array of light spots. A scan controller causes the array of light spots to move back and forth so as to complete a scan of the scene. The spots traverse the scene in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction without substantially overlapping points in the scene already scanned by other spots in the array. An arrayed micro-optic projects the light spots. Receiver optics includes an array of optical detection sites. The arrayed micro-optic and the receiver optics are synchronously scanned while maintaining a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system comprising:
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a light source; an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two dimensional array of light spots on a scene, wherein the two dimensions of the array includes a first dimensional direction and a second dimensional direction; receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics; a scanner configured to physically oscillate the arrayed micro-optic and the receiver optics synchronously to scan;
(a) the two dimensional array of light spots and (b) the receiver optics so as to maintain the one-to-one correspondence; anda scan controller operable to cause the scanner to move the array of light spots back and forth so as to complete a scan of the scene wherein the spots traverse the scene in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction no more than 150% of the distance between adjacent spots in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for scanning with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system comprising:
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activating a light from a light source; projecting the light through an arrayed micro-optic to produce and project a two dimensional array of light spots on a scene, the two dimensions of the array including a first dimensional direction and a second dimensional direction; receiving light from the array of light spots in one-to-one correspondence to an array of optical detection sites in receiver optics; physically oscillating the arrayed micro-optic and the receiver optics synchronously to scan the two dimensional array of light spots and the receiver optics so as to maintain the one-to-one correspondence and to complete a scan of the scene wherein the spots traverse the scene in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction no more than 150% of the distance between adjacent spots in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system comprising:
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a light source; means for receiving light from the light source and for projecting a two dimensional array of light spots on a scene, wherein the two dimensions of the array includes a first dimensional direction and a second dimensional direction; receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics; oscillating means for physically oscillating the receiver optics and the means for receiving and projecting to synchronously scan the two dimensional array of light spots and the receiver optics so as to maintain the one-to-one correspondence; and a scan controller operable to cause the oscillating means to move the array of light spots back and forth so as to complete a scan of the scene wherein the spots traverse the scene in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction no more than 110% of the distance between adjacent spots in the first dimensional direction and in the second dimensional direction, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification