LIDAR SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES INCLUDING MULTIPLEXED POINT CLOUDS

An example light detection and ranging (Lidar) system for a vehicle includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit Lidar signals at multiple frequencies, an omnidirectional emittable Lidar configured to transmit signals via the at least one transmitter, and multiple receivers configured to receive Lidar signals reflected from an environment around the vehicle. Each of the multiple receivers is configured to receive reflected Lidar signals at a different frequency. A vehicle control module is configured to combine frequency data from reflected Lidar signals received at the multiple receivers into a point cloud array, generate a multiplexed point cloud according to the point cloud array, supply the multiplexed point cloud to a perception stack configured to process three-dimensional imagery, and automatically control steering, acceleration and braking of the vehicle according to the multiplexed point cloud supplied to the perception stack.