SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SIGNAL PROCESSING IN LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LIDAR) SYSTEMS

• Main Authors: Gaberl, Wolfgang, Enne, Reinhard, Davidovic, Milos
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 07.05.2025
• Subjects: ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION ORRERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; TESTING

The subject technology is directed to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems and methods. In an embodiment, the subject technology provides a device comprising an optical module configured to receive a first optical signal and a first circuit configured to generate a first electrical signal based on the first optical signal. The device also comprises a first comparator configured to generate a second electrical signal by comparing the first electrical signal to a first threshold value. The device further comprises a first filter configured to generate a first pulse based on the second electrical signal. The first pulse comprises a first point associated with a first timestamp. The timestamp data may be briefly retained in the analog domain, followed by subsequent digital conversion, allowing for significant power savings and reduced system bandwidth. There are other embodiments as well.