Adjustable IFOV Receiver for TOF Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detection devices using Time Of Flight (TOF) face challenges in maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to deformation of the Instantaneous Field Of Illumination (IFOI) shape, which can result in incomplete detection of electromagnetic waves and reduced SNR, even when the transmitter and receiver's fields are designed to be identical and overlapping.
Innovation Solution
A detection device with a control unit that adjusts the size of the Instantaneous Field Of View (IFOV) of the receiver to match the deformed IFOI shape and manage noise levels, ensuring optimal detection of electromagnetic waves reflected from objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitter and receiver are designed with identical and overlapping IFOI and IFOV shapes, then the detection device should achieve high signal level and high SNR, but the IFOI shape deforms in practice due to various factors such as optical system arrangement, causing portion of IFOI to not overlap IFOV and reducing detection level and SNR
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the IFOV adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the IFOV size and shape to match the deformed IFOI, allowing the system to adapt to practical deformations caused by optical system arrangements and maintain high detection levels and SNR.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the IFOV (size and shape) to compensate for IFOI deformation. By adjusting these parameters, the system ensures optimal overlap between IFOI and IFOV despite practical deformations, thereby maintaining reliable detection performance.
2Reliability
If the IFOV size is increased to capture more of the deformed IFOI, then the detection level improves, but the noise level also increases, potentially reducing SNR
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the IFOV characteristics spatially adaptive. Instead of uniformly increasing IFOV size, the control unit adjusts the IFOV to specifically match the deformed IFOI shape, capturing signal regions while minimizing noise regions, thereby improving detection level without proportionally increasing noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback to optimize the IFOV configuration. The control unit adjusts the IFOV based on the actual IFOI shape and noise characteristics, achieving optimal balance between detection level and noise level to maintain high SNR.
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
This solution allows for the detection of electromagnetic waves at a high level and high signal-to-noise ratio, even when the IFOI shape deforms, by dynamically controlling the IFOV in response to the IFOI shape and noise levels, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of distance measurement.
Implementation Method 1
The detection device can calculate a distance to the object based on time from transmission of the light from the transmitter to receipt of the light by the receiver
Implementation Method 2
The light transmitted from the transmitter is reflected by an object
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device (10) includes a transmitter (110), a receiver (120), and a control unit (140). The transmitter (110) is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic wave. The receiver (120) is capable of receiving a signal (S1), that is, the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmitter (110) and reflected by an object (O). The control unit (140) controls the size of an instantaneous field of view (so-called IFOV) of the receiver (120).