US 12,228,648 B2
LIDAR pixel with dual polarization receive optical antenna
Sen Lin, Santa Clara, CA (US); and Andrew Steil Michaels, Santa Clara, CA (US)
Assigned to AURORA OPERATIONS, INC., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Filed by Aurora Operations, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/187,827.
Application 18/187,827 is a continuation of application No. 17/836,280, filed on Jun. 9, 2022, granted, now 11,619,739.
Prior Publication US 2023/0400578 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01C 3/08 (2006.01); G01S 7/48 (2006.01); G01S 7/4913 (2020.01); G01S 7/493 (2006.01); G01S 17/34 (2020.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 17/34 (2020.01) [G01S 7/4808 (2013.01); G01S 7/4913 (2013.01); G01S 7/493 (2013.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:
one or more LIDAR pixels, wherein at least one of the one or more LIDAR pixels includes:
a transmit optical antenna configured to emit a transmit beam;
a receive optical antenna comprising:
a first grating coupler having a first rotation angle with respect to the transmit optical antenna, wherein the first grating coupler is configured to detect a returning beam corresponding to the transmit beam reflecting off of a target, and
a second grating coupler having a second rotation angle with respect to the transmit optical antenna, wherein the second grating coupler is configured to detect the returning beam;
a first receiver configured to generate a first signal in response to the returning beam detected by the first grating coupler and a first local oscillator signal; and
a second receiver configured to generate a second signal in response to the returning beam detected by the second grating coupler and a second local oscillator signal.