In some applications, it may be desirable to position multiple photodetectors at precise locations on a curved focal surface defined by an optical system. To achieve this positioning, the photodetectors may be mounted at desired locations on a flexible substrate that is in a flat configuration. The
In some applications, it may be desirable to position multiple photodetectors at precise locations on a curved focal surface defined by an optical system. To achieve this positioning, the photodetectors may be mounted at desired locations on a flexible substrate that is in a flat configuration. The flexible substrate with mounted photodetectors can then be shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the curved focal surface. This shaping can be accomplished by clamping the flexible substrate between at least two clamping pieces. The curved flexible substrate clamped between the at least two clamping pieces can be positioned relative to the optical system such that the photodetectors are positioned at desired three-dimensional locations on the curved focal surface.
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1. An apparatus, comprising: an optical system, wherein the optical system defines a focal surface having a curved shape;a flexible printed circuit board (PCB);a plurality of photodetectors mounted on the flexible PCB; anda holder configured to hold the flexible PCB such that the flexible PCB substa
1. An apparatus, comprising: an optical system, wherein the optical system defines a focal surface having a curved shape;a flexible printed circuit board (PCB);a plurality of photodetectors mounted on the flexible PCB; anda holder configured to hold the flexible PCB such that the flexible PCB substantially conforms to the curved shape of the focal surface and each of the photodetectors in the plurality of photodetectors is at a respective location on the focal surface. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece, wherein the first clamping piece has a convex surface that corresponds to the curved shape of the focal surface, and wherein the second clamping piece has a concave surface that corresponds to the curved shape of the curved focal surface. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the holder is configured to hold the flexible PCB between the first and second clamping pieces. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible PCB comprises a plurality of alignment holes, and wherein the holder comprises a plurality of dowel pins extending through the plurality of alignment holes so as to position the flexible PCB relative to the holder. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each photodetector in the plurality of photodetectors comprises a respective avalanche photodiode. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a lens. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lens has an aspheric surface and a toroidal surface. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the photodetectors in the plurality of photodetectors are arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein the toroidal surface has a first curvature in a direction parallel to the rows and a second curvature in a direction perpendicular to the rows. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible PCB comprises a connector and a plurality of conductive traces, wherein the plurality of conductive traces electrically connect the plurality of photodetectors to the connector. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are configured to transmit light through the optical system into an environment. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each light source in the plurality of light sources is paired with a corresponding photodetector in the plurality of photodetectors, such that light transmitted through the optical system and reflected by an object in the environment is focused onto its corresponding photodetector by the optical system. 13. A method, comprising: transmitting, by a plurality of light sources, light through an optical system into an environment, wherein each light source in the plurality of light sources is paired with a corresponding photodetector in a plurality of photodetectors; andreceiving, by the optical system, light that has been transmitted by a light source in the plurality of light sources and reflected by an object in the environment;focusing, by the optical system, the received light onto the light source's corresponding photodetector in the plurality of photodetectors, wherein the optical surface defines a focal surface having a curved shape, wherein the photodectors are mounted on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate is held by a holder such that the flexible substrate substantially conforms to the curved shape of the focal surface and each of photodetectors in the plurality of photodetectors is at a respective location on the focal surface. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the holder comprises a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece, wherein the first clamping piece has a convex surface that corresponds to the curved shape of the focal surface, and wherein the second clamping piece has a concave surface that corresponds to the curved shape of the focal surface. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the flexible substrate is held between the first and second clamping pieces. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the flexible substrate comprises a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the optical system comprises a lens. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lens has an aspheric surface and a toroidal surface. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the photodetectors in the plurality of photodetectors are arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein the toroidal surface has a first curvature in a direction parallel to the rows and a second curvature in a direction perpendicular to the rows. 20. The method of claim 13, wherein each photodetector in the plurality of photodetectors comprises a respective avalanche photodiode.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (18)
Gritz, Michael A.; Burkholder, Robert F.; Black, Stephen H.; Kolasa, Borys Pawel, Antenna-coupled imager having pixels with integrated lenslets.
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