Patent ID: 9696722
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: G01S,G02B,G05D

Claim:
1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device comprising: a plurality of mirrors arranged to rotate about respective axes of rotation; a plurality of electromagnets arranged to attract the plurality of mirrors so as to apply torque on the respective mirrors about their respective axes of rotation; a plurality of driving circuits for operating the plurality of electromagnets using a plurality of driving signals; a plurality of detectors configured to detect orientations of the plurality of mirrors; a controller configured to: (i) receive data from the plurality of detectors indicative of detected orientations of the plurality of mirrors, and (ii) based on the detected orientations, control the plurality of driving circuits to operate the plurality of electromagnets such that the plurality of mirrors oscillate in phase at an operating frequency; and a light source configured to emit light pulses directed toward the plurality of mirrors such that the light pulses are reflected by the plurality of mirrors.