US 12,189,032 B2
LiDAR apparatus having improved signal-to-noise ratio
Hyunil Byun, Seongnam-si (KR); Dongjae Shin, Seoul (KR); and Changgyun Shin, Anyang-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Dec. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/135,228.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2020-0082264 (KR), filed on Jul. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0003870 A1, Jan. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. G01C 3/08 (2006.01); G01K 13/00 (2021.01); G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 7/4913 (2020.01); G01S 17/58 (2006.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G02F 1/313 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 17/58 (2013.01) [G01K 13/00 (2013.01); G01S 7/4811 (2013.01); G01S 7/4913 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G02F 1/3137 (2013.01); G02F 2203/50 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) apparatus comprising:
a light source configured to generate light;
an optical transmitter configured to emit the light generated by the light source to outside of the LiDAR apparatus;
an optical receiver configured to receive light from the outside of the LiDAR apparatus;
a resonance-type photodetector configured to selectively amplify and detect light having a wavelength that is the same as a wavelength of the light generated by the light source among the light received by the optical receiver; and
a processor configured to control the light source and the resonance-type photodetector,
wherein the resonance-type photodetector comprises:
a resonator;
a phase modulator provided on the resonator and configured to control a phase of light traveling along the resonator based on control of the processor; and
an optical detector configured to detect an intensity of the light traveling along the resonator,
wherein the optical transmitter comprises:
a substrate;
a plurality of waveguides provided on the substrate;
a plurality of splitters respectively comprising an input terminal connected to one waveguide among the plurality of waveguides and an output terminal connected to at least two waveguides among the plurality of waveguides;
a plurality of phase control elements configured to independently control phases of a plurality of pieces of light split by the plurality of splitters; and
a plurality of grating pattern groups respectively connected to the plurality of phase control elements and configured to emit the plurality of pieces of light of which phases are controlled.