FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) LiDAR sends out a continuous, not pulsed, laser signal to the object. The 1550nm beam is frequency modulated, or what we call chirped. The combination of a continuous beam and frequency modulation means outgoing and returning beams interfere, creating what are known as interference fringes. These interference fringes can be easily measured, providing a fast and accurate measurement of the distance (range) to the object. 

With over 100 worldwide FMCW LiDAR-based patents and patents pending, SVI’s patented Dual Chirp Technology utilizes a novel multi-beam modulation technique to instantaneously determine at least two independent motion aspects of the target.  The beams allows for separate, simultaneous measures of not only an object’s distance from the sensor but also its instantaneous speed!

The rate of range, or velocity, adds this 4^th dimension to every point in the 3D point cloud. Our ultra-high accuracy and resolution measurements of range and the velocity of vibration of surfaces can be readily detected at stand-off distances for use in a wide gamut of biometric, industrial, robotic, and commercial applications.  

The range and rate of range information is crucial for speed and accuracy when performing object recognition tasks of moving targets.

In biometrics we use this information, fused with video, to remove all six degrees of motion associated with a moving target generating a rigid, static biometric template required for proper 3D facial and gait recognition.

In the autonomous vehicle industry this added information is critical in making  decisions faster in complicated environments with multiple independently moving objects and reacting accordingly.

In robotics and / or industrial metrology the dual chirp technology  provides high precision vibrational analysis to measure the dynamic response of a structure (metal, plastic and/or composite parts) to assist in the manufacturing process.

Further in certain insider threat detection military applications, physiological functions such as heart and breathing rates are easily detected at standoff distances by monitoring skin vibrations on the face / throat area. 

In addition, voices / conversations can be “picked-up” remotely by measuring vibrations generated from the voice box even through glass.