US 12,228,682 B2
Techniques for programmable beam steering compensation in scanning LIDAR systems
Shijun Xiao, Foster City, CA (US)
Assigned to Aeva, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by Aeva, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on May 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/314,916.
Application 18/314,916 is a continuation of application No. 17/859,956, filed on Jul. 7, 2022, granted, now 11,681,020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0012115 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 7/4861 (2020.01); G01S 17/42 (2006.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G02F 1/29 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 7/4817 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4811 (2013.01); G01S 7/4816 (2013.01); G01S 7/4861 (2013.01); G01S 17/42 (2013.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G02F 1/292 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
transmitting an optical beam towards an object based on a transmit optical beam that propagates along an optical axis;
receiving, responsive to transmitting the optical beam, a returned reflection having a lag angle relative to the optical axis;
directing the returned reflection to generate a first directed beam;
receiving the first directed beam and a local oscillator (LO) signal associated with the transmit optical beam;
directing, by a plurality of optical elements, the first directed beam to adjust an angle of the first directed beam relative to the optical axis prior to receiving the first directed beam;
directing the first directed beam based on an array voltage to generate a second directed beam at a first location on an optical element;
directing the LO signal based on the array voltage to generate a directed LO signal at a second location on the optical element, the directed LO signal propagates at a second LO angle relative to the optical axis, the second LO angle of the directed LO signal is generated further based on the first LO angle of the LO signal; and
adjusting, by a processor, the array voltage to reduce a beam offset between the first location and the second location.