Highly-accurate Real-time Instantaneous Frequency Estimation of a Fast-chirped Laser and Its Application for FMCW LiDAR Nonlinearity Correction

A novel real-time optical instantaneous frequency estimator for fast-chirped lasers is introduced, offering higher accuracy, reduced algorithm complexity, and shorter time delay than the traditional Hilbert transform-based approach. An application for FMCW LiDAR nonlinearity correction is demonstrated using a 0.25-m fiber.