FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR).

BACKGROUND

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to one or more objects in a field of view. In particular, light is transmitted towards the object. Arrays of photodetectors receive reflections from objects illuminated by the light, and the time it takes for the reflections to arrive at various sensors in the photodetector array is determined. This is also referred to as measuring time-of-flight (TOF). LIDAR systems form depth measurements and make distance measurements by mapping the distance to objects based on the time-of-flight computations. Thus, the time-of-flight computations can create distance and depth maps, which may be used to generate images.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems and LIDAR readout methods.

According to one or more embodiments, a LIDAR system includes a LIDAR receiver configured to receive a reflected light beam from a receiving direction, the reflected light beam having an oblong shape that extends in a lengthwise direction. The LIDAR receiver includes a two-dimensional (2D) photodetector array including a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel columns, wherein each pixel of the 2D photodetector array is configured to generate electrical signals based on received light, wherein the reflected light beam, incident on the 2D photodetector array, extends in the lengthwise direction along (at least partially over) at least one receiving pixel column of the plurality of pixel columns according to the receiving direction; an analog readout circuit including a plurality of output channels configured to read out the electrical signals; and a multiplexer configured to, for each reading cycle, selectively couple receiving pixels of the at least one receiving column to the plurality of output channels based on the receiving direction, while decoupling non-receiving pixels not included in the at least one receiving pixel column from the plurality of output channels based on the receiving direction.

In addition, the multiplexer may be configured to selectively couple each of the plurality of output channels to at least one different pixel row of the plurality of pixel row for each reading cycle.

