VCSEL array LIDAR transmitter with small angular divergence
First Claim
1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transmitter comprising:
- a) a plurality of light emitters that generate a plurality of optical beams;
b) a first lens positioned in an optical path of the plurality of optical beams at a distance from at least one of the plurality of light emitters that is less than a focal length of the first lens, the first lens converging the plurality of optical beams to a converged optical beam having a beam waist; and
c) a second lens positioned in the optical path of the converged optical beam, the second lens projecting the converged optical beam to a target range,wherein the position of the second lens and an emission width of at least one of the plurality of light emitters are configured to provide a desired field-of-view of the LIDAR transmitter at the target range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transmitter includes a plurality of light emitters that generate a plurality of optical beams. A first lens is positioned in an optical path of the plurality of optical beams at a distance from at least one of the plurality of light emitters that is less than a focal length of the first lens. The first lens converges the plurality of optical beams to a converged optical beam having a beam waist. A second lens is positioned in the optical path of the converged optical beam. The second lens projects the converged optical beam to a target range. The position of the second lens and an emission width of at least one of the plurality of light emitters are configured to provide a desired field-of-view of the LIDAR transmitter at the target range.
105 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transmitter comprising:
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a) a plurality of light emitters that generate a plurality of optical beams; b) a first lens positioned in an optical path of the plurality of optical beams at a distance from at least one of the plurality of light emitters that is less than a focal length of the first lens, the first lens converging the plurality of optical beams to a converged optical beam having a beam waist; and c) a second lens positioned in the optical path of the converged optical beam, the second lens projecting the converged optical beam to a target range, wherein the position of the second lens and an emission width of at least one of the plurality of light emitters are configured to provide a desired field-of-view of the LIDAR transmitter at the target range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) transmitter comprising:
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a) a first transmitter array comprising a first plurality of light emitters that generate a first plurality of optical beams; b) a first lens positioned in an optical path of the first plurality of optical beams at a distance from at least one of the plurality of light emitters that is less than a focal length of the first lens, the first lens converging the first plurality of optical beams to form a first converged optical beam with a beam waist; c) a second lens having a position in the optical path of the first converged optical beam, the second lens projecting the first converged optical beam to a target range, wherein the position of the second lens and an emission width of at least one of the first plurality of light emitters are configured to provide a desired field-of-view of the projected first converged optical beam at the target range; d) a second transmitter array comprising a second plurality of light emitters that generate a second plurality of optical beams; e) a third lens positioned in an optical path of the second plurality of optical beams at a distance from at least one of the second plurality of light emitters that is less than a focal length of the third lens, the third lens converging the second plurality of optical beams to form a second converged optical beam with a beam waist; and f) a fourth lens having a position in the optical path of the second converged optical beam, the fourth lens projecting the second converged optical beam to a target range, wherein the position of the fourth lens and an emission width of at least one of the second plurality of light emitters are configured to provide a desired field-of-view of the projected second converged optical beam at the target range, wherein a position of the first transmitter array and a position of the second transmitter array are chosen to provide a desired field-of-view of the LIDAR transmitter at the target range. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification