US 12,298,438 B2
Methods and apparatus for array based LiDAR systems with reduced interference
Jamie E. Retterath, Excelsior, MN (US); and Robert A. Laumeyer, Oviedo, FL (US)
Assigned to SOS LAB Co., Ltd., Gwangju (KR)
Filed by SOS LAB Co., Ltd., Gwangju (KR)
Filed on Jul. 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/783,026.
Application 18/783,026 is a continuation of application No. 17/488,018, filed on Sep. 28, 2021, granted, now 12,078,756.
Application 17/488,018 is a continuation of application No. 16/272,822, filed on Feb. 11, 2019, granted, now 11,131,755, issued on Sep. 28, 2021.
Application 16/272,822 is a continuation of application No. 14/078,001, filed on Nov. 12, 2013, granted, now 10,203,399, issued on Feb. 12, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0377512 A1, Nov. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 7/4863 (2020.01); G01S 7/4865 (2020.01); G01S 17/10 (2020.01); G01S 17/93 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 7/4815 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4863 (2013.01); G01S 7/4865 (2013.01); G01S 17/10 (2013.01); G01S 17/93 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A combined LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system applied to a vehicle comprising:
a first LiDAR module, which is a solid-state LiDAR module and not a rotatable type, comprising a first emitter array and a first detector array, wherein the first LiDAR module is configured to cover a first field of view;
a second LiDAR module, which is a solid-state LiDAR module and not a rotatable type, comprising a second emitter array and a second detector array, wherein the second LiDAR module is configured to cover a second field of view; and
a controller configured to:
receive a first data set from the first LiDAR module,
receive a second date set from the second LiDAR module, and
generate combined LiDAR data covering a combined field of view, wherein the combined field of view covers both of the first field of view and the second field of view,
wherein the combined field of view is wider than the first field of view and the second field of view,
wherein the first emitter array comprises a first plurality of emitters, the first plurality of emitters being arranged on a 2-dimensional emitter plane, and the first plurality of emitters being configured to emit first light beams, and
wherein the first LiDAR module further comprises a first emission macro lens configured to steer the first light beams emitted from the first plurality of emitters in multiple directions, each of the first light beams being steered to its own unique direction relative to the direction normal to the 2-dimensional emitter plane after diffraction caused by the first emission macro lens.