Real-time LIDAR imaging by solid-state single chip beam scanner

Abstract

We present a real-time light detection and ranging (LIDAR) imaging by developing a single-chip solid-state beam scanner. The beam scanner is integrated with a fully functional 32-channel optical phased array, 36 optical amplifiers, and a tunable laser at central wavelength ~1310 nm, all on a 7.5 x 3 mm^2 single chip fabricated with III-V on silicon processes. The phased array is calibrated with self-evolving genetic algorithm to enable beam forming and steering in two dimensions. Distance measurement is performed with a digital signal processing that measures the time of flight (TOF) of pulsed light with a system consisting of an avalanche photodiode (APD), trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), analog-digital converter (ADC), and a processor. The LIDAR module utilizing this system can acquire point cloud images with 120 x 20 resolution with a speed of 20 frames per seconds at a distance up to 20 meters. This work presents the first demonstration of a chip-scale LIDAR solution without any moving part or bulk external light source or amplifier, making an ultra-low cost and compact LIDAR technology a reality.