Invention Grant
- Patent Title: LiDAR system comprising a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode-based receiver having pixels with multiple-return capability
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Application No.: US16655796Application Date: 2019-10-17
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Publication No.: US11573302B2Publication Date: 2023-02-07
- Inventor: Mark D. Entwistle
- Applicant: ARGO AI, LLC
- Applicant Address: US PA Pittsburgh
- Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
- Current Assignee: ARGO AI, LLC
- Current Assignee Address: US PA Pittsburgh
- Agency: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
- Main IPC: G01S7/4865
- IPC: G01S7/4865 ; G01S7/481 ; G01S7/48

Abstract:
Disclosed are Geiger-mode avalanche-photodiode-based LiDAR systems and methods that interrogate a detection region with a periodic series of optical pulses whose reflections are detected via a receiver comprising multiple Geiger-mode avalanche-photodiode-based pixels. The pixels of the receiver are configured to asynchronously disarm and rearm after absorption of a reflection. As a result, each pixel can detect multiple reflections of the same optical pulse during a single detection frame whose duration is defined by the periodicity of the series of optical pulses. Furthermore, each pixel can store time-of-flight data for each of multiple reflections detected during a detection frame. Each individual pixel of the receiver, therefore, is not blinded and inoperative for the remainder of a detection frame once it detects a first reflection.
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