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Near-infrared time-of-flight imaging using laser diodes with Bragg reflectors

  • US 10,660,526 B2
  • Filed: 10/09/2019
  • Issued: 05/26/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A remote sensing system, comprising:

  • an array of laser diodes configured to generate light having an initial light intensity and one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers, wherein at least a portion of the array of laser diodes comprises one or more Bragg reflectors, and wherein the at least a portion of the array of laser diodes is configured to be modulated;

    wherein the array of laser diodes is further coupled to one or more safety shut-offs and a thermal management accessory, and wherein the array of laser diodes is further configured to increase a light brightness from the array of laser diodes by spatially combining light from at least some of the laser diodes in the array of laser diodes;

    one or more scanners comprising a moving mirror configured to receive a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes and to direct the portion of the light from the array of laser diodes to an object, wherein the moving mirror is configured to scan the received portion of the light across at least a part of the object;

    a detection system comprising a photodiode array and a spectral filter positioned to receive at least a portion of light reflected from the object, wherein the detection system is configured to be synchronized to the at least a portion of the array of laser diodes comprising Bragg reflectors;

    wherein the detection system is further configured to perform a time-of-flight measurement by measuring a time difference between the generated light from the at least a portion of the array of laser diodes and the at least a portion of light reflected from the object;

    a camera system configured to capture one or more images;

    wherein the remote sensing system is configured to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional mapping using at least a portion of the one or more images and at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement;

    wherein the remote sensing system is configured to improve signal-to-noise ratio of at least a portion of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional mapping by increasing light intensity of the array of laser diodes relative to the initial light intensity; and

    wherein the remote sensing system is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, wherein the at least a portion of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional mapping is combined with global positioning system information, and wherein the remote sensing system is configured to communicate with a cloud.

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