| CPC H01S 5/0428 (2013.01) [G01S 7/484 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); H02J 7/345 (2013.01); H02J 2207/50 (2020.01)] | 15 Claims |
|
1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) pulse emitting device, comprising:
an emitter configured to emit pulses;
a first capacitor configured to provide energy to the emitter to create the pulses;
a second capacitor configured to charge the first capacitor;
a first gate configured to control in part a first discharge of the energy from the first capacitor through the emitter;
a second gate configured to control in part a second discharge of the energy from the second capacitor; and
a power supply configured to supply the energy associated with the pulses, wherein:
when the first gate is open, the first capacitor charges a first pulse of the pulses,
when the first gate closes, the emitter emits the first pulse,
when the first gate opens after the emitter emits the first pulse, the second gate closes and the second capacitor charges the first capacitor with a second pulse of the pulses, and
when the second gate opens after the second capacitor charges the first capacitor with the second pulse, the first gate closes and the emitter emits the second pulse,
wherein the first capacitor is connected in parallel to the second capacitor, and
wherein the pulse emitting device further comprises:
an additional power source configured to recharge the first capacitor;
a third capacitor connected in parallel to the additional power source and continuously charged by the additional power source; and
a third gate having one end connected to one end of the additional power source and one end of the third capacitor, and the other end connected to one end of the second capacitor and one end of the second gate,
wherein the third gate is controlled to close to provide a charge from the third capacitor to the first capacitor to recharge the first capacitor, and
wherein the third gate is controlled to not be operated in the same state as the first gate.
|