Adaptive Binning Ranging Device for Low-Light Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ranging devices face a significant delay in changing ranging conditions, leading to increased delay times in performing ranging operations.
Innovation Solution
A ranging device incorporating a time counting unit, multiple light receiving units, frequency distribution generation units, binning processing, and distance calculation units to improve ranging accuracy while minimizing delay time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ranging condition is changed while an imaging frame is formed, then ranging accuracy can be improved, but the delay time from condition change to ranging execution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by changing the ranging condition (e.g., number of avalanche photodiodes or sampling frequency) before the imaging frame is completed. The frequency distribution generation unit continuously accumulates frequency distributions during the frame period, so when binning processing is activated, the frequency distribution data is already prepared and can be immediately processed without waiting for the frame to complete, thus reducing delay time while maintaining improved ranging accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If binning processing is applied to improve signal strength, then sensitivity to low-intensity light improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the binning processing parameters based on the determined ranging conditions. The binning setting unit changes the number of frequency distribution generation units to be subjected to binning processing according to the determination unit's result. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to apply binning processing only when and where needed, optimizing sensitivity for low-intensity light detection while avoiding unnecessary processing complexity in scenarios where binning is not required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enhances ranging accuracy by reducing noise and improving sensitivity through binning processing, enabling precise distance calculations even with low-intensity light and high ambient light interference.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light receiving units 341a and 341b that generate a signal including a pulse based on incident light and perform counting of the pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A ranging device includes: a binning processing unit configured to perform binning processing for one or more frequency distributions held in one or more frequency distribution generation units of frequency distribution generation units; a determination unit configured to determine whether a component of reflected light from an object is included in the frequency distribution subjected to the binning processing; a binning setting unit configured to change the number of the frequency distribution generation units to be subjected to the binning processing performed by the binning processing unit in accordance with a result of the determination by the determination unit; and a distance calculation unit configured to calculate a distance to the object based on a time interval corresponding to a reception time of the reflected light when the determination unit determines that a component of the reflected light is included in the frequency distribution subjected to the binning processing.