A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a structured light generator, an imaging device and a controller. The structured light generator illuminates a local area with a structured light pattern in accordance with emission instructions from the controller. The structured light generator comprises an illumination source, an acousto-optic device, and a projection assembly. The acousto-optic device generates a structured light pattern from an optical beam emitted from the illumination source. The projection assembly modifies a general intensity envelope of the structured light pattern in order for the structured light pattern to illuminate a larger section of the local area, and projects the modified structured light pattern into the local area. The imaging device captures of portions of the structured light pattern scattered or reflected from the local area. The controller determines depth information for the local area based at least in part on the captured images.