Sen Lin

US Patent:

20220365177, Nov 17, 2022

Filed:

Jul 21, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/870493

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/481
G02F 1/01
G01S 17/931
B60W 60/00
G01S 7/4911

Abstract:

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) pixel includes a splitter, a grating coupler, and a phase shifter. The grating coupler is configured to emit a transmit beam that is based on a combination of a first portion of light and a second portion of light received from a laser. One or more first interconnects and one or more second interconnects couple the splitter to the grating coupler. The phase shifter is coupled to the one or more first interconnects and configured to vary a phase of the first portion of the light relative to a phase of the second portion of the light.

US Patent:

20220365214, Nov 17, 2022

Filed:

Jul 20, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/869407

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 17/34
G01S 7/481
G01S 17/58
G01S 7/497
G01S 17/42

Abstract:

A LiDAR chip of a solid state frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. The LiDAR chip includes an optical switch network and a switchable coherent pixel array (SCPA). The optical switch network is configured to selectively provide coherent light to one or more of a plurality of output waveguides. The SCPA includes coherent pixels (CPs), and each of the CPs is configured to emit coherent light provided by a corresponding output waveguide of the plurality of output waveguides. The LiDAR chip also includes a monitoring assembly for calibration of the optical switch network and/or an interferometer for calibration of a shape of the waveform used to generate the coherent light.

US Patent:

20220352695, Nov 3, 2022

Filed:

Jul 13, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/863807

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Lei Wang - Fremont CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

H01S 5/40
G01S 17/32
G01S 7/481
B60R 16/02

Abstract:

A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) assembly comprising a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) array and a U-turn chip. The SOA array includes an input SOA and a plurality of SOAs. The input SOA and the plurality of SOAs are arranged parallel to one another. The U-turn chip includes an optical splitter and a waveguide assembly. The optical splitter is configured to receive amplified input light propagating in a first direction from the input SOA, and divide the amplified light into beams. The waveguide assembly guides the beams to a corresponding SOA of the plurality of SOAs, and adjusts a direction of prorogation of each of the guided beams to be substantially parallel to a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction.

US Patent:

20220342057, Oct 27, 2022

Filed:

Jun 30, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/855535

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/4912
G01S 7/4861
G01S 17/34
G01S 17/931
G01S 7/481
G01S 7/499
G01S 17/32

Abstract:

A circuit module of a LIDAR system includes a transmit optical coupler, a first optical mixer, a second optical mixer, and an optical switch. The transmit optical coupler emits a transmit beam in response to a first portion of an optical signal. The transmit beam reflects from an object back to the circuit module as a returning beam. The first optical mixer is disposed on a first optical path to receive the returning beam in response to the returning beam having a first displacement. The second optical mixer is disposed on a second optical path to receive the returning beam in response to the returning beam having a second displacement. The optical switch is coupled to provide a particular portion of the optical signal to the first optical mixer or the second optical mixer based on whether the returning beam has the first displacement or the second displacement.

US Patent:

20220291345, Sep 15, 2022

Filed:

May 25, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/824820

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US
Andrew Steil Michaels - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/481
H01S 5/02253

Abstract:

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device includes a first wafer layer, a laser assembly disposed on the first wafer layer, a capping layer, a second wafer layer, and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The capping layer is coupled to the first wafer layer and configured to seal the laser assembly. The second wafer layer is at least partially coupled to the first wafer layer. The PIC is formed on the second wafer layer. The second wafer includes an exit feature configured to outcouple laser light from the laser assembly.

US Patent:

20220283276, Sep 8, 2022

Filed:

May 28, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/827679

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/497
G01S 17/931
G01S 7/493
H01S 3/00
B60W 60/00
G01S 7/481
G01S 7/4915
G01S 17/06
G01S 17/58
G01S 17/32

Abstract:

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser and a calibration unit. The laser is configured to generate a laser beam based on a particular laser waveform that is associated with at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters. The calibration unit is configured to determine a particular value for the at least one parameter of the plurality of parameters to compensate for distortion characteristics of the laser. The calibration unit is configured to determine the particular value based on an output frequency of the laser beam. The calibration unit is configured to update the particular laser waveform with the particular value of the at least one parameter of the plurality of parameters.

US Patent:

20220179055, Jun 9, 2022

Filed:

Dec 5, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/542459

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/481
G01S 17/931
G01S 7/4911
G02B 6/42

Abstract:

A thermal-optical phase shifter includes a substrate layer, a cladding layer, and a beam in the cladding layer. The thermal-optical phase shifter includes a waveguide and a heating element disposed in the beam. The thermal-optical phase shifter includes a thermally conductive structure disposed on the cladding layer to disperse heat from the beam. The thermally conductive structure may include a metal strip disposed longitudinally along the beam, may include thermally conductive pads, and/or may include thermally conductive vias coupled between the cladding layer and the substrate layer. The thermal-optical phase shifter may be incorporated into light detection and ranging (LIDAR) devices, telecommunications devices, and/or computing devices.

US Patent:

20230003848, Jan 5, 2023

Filed:

Sep 13, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/943969

Inventors:

- Mountain View CA, US
Sen Lin - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/481
G01S 7/4911
G01S 17/931
G02B 6/42
G02F 1/01

Abstract:

A phase shifter includes a substrate layer, a cladding layer, and a waveguide. The phase shifter includes a waveguide and a heating element. The phase shifter includes a thermally conductive structure disposed on the cladding layer to disperse heat from the waveguide. The thermally conductive structure may include a metal strip disposed longitudinally along the beam, may include thermally conductive pads, and/or may include thermally conductive vias coupled between the cladding layer and the substrate layer. The phase shifter may be incorporated into light detection and ranging (LIDAR) devices, telecommunications devices, and/or computing devices.