Patent ID: 11867814
Assignee: AEVA, INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  H | IPC G  H

Claim 9:
10. A method of operating a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system, comprising:
delivering, via a modulation drive circuit, a modulated current through a light source to generate light at a target frequency, wherein the modulation drive circuit is controlled by an operational amplifier configured as an integrator;
receiving a portion of the light into an electro-optical circuitry to produce a phase locked loop, wherein the electro-optical circuitry comprises a phase-frequency detector, a charge pump, and a loop filter that forms a closed loop with the modulation drive circuit;
providing, by the electro-optical circuitry, a control signal to a non-inverting input of the operational amplifier to control a current level of the modulated current;
controlling a set of ramp selection switches coupled to an inverting input of the operational amplifier to generate a signal pattern that modulates the modulated current; and
delivering, via a bias drive circuit outside of the closed loop, a bias current through the light source, wherein a total current through the light source is a sum of the modulated current and the bias current.