1. A device for projecting patterned radiation, comprising: a pattern-generating element configured to produce a radiation pattern, wherein the radiation pattern includes: a plurality of spatial symbols, wherein each spatial symbol comprises a radiation distribution such that at least one characteristic of the radiation distribution varies spatially and wherein the plurality of spatial symbols are configured such that: each respective spatial symbol of the plurality of spatial symbols is distinguishable from the other spatial symbols of the plurality of spatial symbols; and each respective spatial symbol of the plurality of spatial symbols is similar to a master spatial symbol such that: a peak of a normalized spatial cross correlation of the master spatial symbol and each respective spatial symbol exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and each side lobe, from a plurality of side lobes, of the normalized spatial cross correlation of the master spatial symbol and each respective spatial symbol is less than a second predetermined threshold.