US 12,422,524 B2
LIDAR sensor system including particular optic design
Colin Delaney, Bozeman, MT (US); Allen Earman, Santa Clara, CA (US); James Ferrara, Oakland, CA (US); and Parth Panchal, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to AURORA OPERATIONS, INC., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Filed by Aurora Operations, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/933,680.
Application 18/933,680 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2024/053568, filed on Oct. 30, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/602,252, filed on Nov. 22, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/602,265, filed on Nov. 22, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0164609 A1, May 22, 2025
Int. Cl. G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 7/4813 (2013.01) [G01S 7/481 (2013.01); G01S 7/4817 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing defining a cavity having a length defined along a first axis and a width defined along a second axis that is different from the first axis;
a first mount positioned at a first portion of the housing within the cavity;
a second mount positioned at a second portion of the housing within the cavity; and
a micro optics assembly including a first portion which is provided on the first mount and a second portion which is provided on the second mount, wherein:
the first portion of the micro optics assembly comprises:
a light source configured to emit a beam,
at least one first optical component configured to direct the beam emitted by the light source,
at least one optical isolator configured to allow the beam directed by the at least one first optical component to pass through the at least one optical isolator in a first direction and to prevent light from being reflected back into the light source through the at least one optical isolator in a second direction, and
at least one second optical component configured to direct the beam after having passed through the at least one optical isolator, and
the second portion of the micro optics assembly comprises:
an optical chip assembly comprising a plurality of chips configured to receive the beam after having been directed by the at least one second optical component, and
wherein the first portion of the micro optics assembly further comprises at least one third optical component configured to direct the beam after having passed through the at least one second optical component.