US Patent 10948598 Coherent LiDAR system utilizing polarization-diverse architecture

A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system according to the present disclosure comprises an optical source to emit an optical beam, and an optical circulator to receive the optical beam and transmit the optical beam to a target, to receive a target return signal from the target and to transmit the target return signal to one or more photodetectors (PDs). The optical circulator is configured to collect all polarization states in the target return signal. The LiDAR system further comprises an optical element to generate a local oscillator (LO) signal, and the one or more PDs to mix the target return signal with the LO signal to generate a heterodyne signal to extract range and velocity information of the target.