Distance Detection System Phase Boundary Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance acquisition systems using Time-of-Flight (TOF) technology face significant errors due to environmental factors like temperature and ambient lighting, leading to unstable and inaccurate distance measurements, particularly near phase boundary points, which can result in catastrophic errors exceeding 200% and pose safety risks in applications like autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A detection method and system that employs a light emitting module emitting light signals with different frequencies, a light receiving module to convert returned light signals into electrical signals, and a processing module with at least two sets of conversion relationships to calculate distance information. The processing module selects the appropriate conversion relationship based on the electrical signal to minimize errors, switching between relationships when fluctuations exceed a preset value to ensure accurate and stable distance results across various distance ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single conversion relationship is used to calculate distance from phase offset, then the device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates significantly near phase boundary points (0° and 360°) where errors can exceed 200%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phase offset range into multiple segments, each with its own conversion relationship. Specifically, it segments the phase offset calculation into different ranges and applies different conversion formulas to each segment, preventing catastrophic errors at phase boundaries while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different conversion relationships to different local regions of the phase offset range. By making the conversion relationship location-dependent (different formulas for different phase offset ranges), it optimizes measurement precision locally at each phase boundary while maintaining acceptable complexity globally.
2Measurement precision
If multiple conversion relationships are implemented to improve measurement precision across different phase ranges, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple processing paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic selection mechanism that automatically chooses the appropriate conversion relationship based on the input phase offset value. The processing module dynamically adjusts which conversion formula to apply depending on the current phase offset range, optimizing precision without requiring permanent multiple fixed processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the conversion relationship based on the phase offset range. By making the conversion parameters adaptive (selecting different formulas based on phase offset values), it achieves high precision across all ranges while keeping the processing module structure relatively simple through parameter adaptation rather than structural complexity.
3Productivity
If high-frequency emitted light (20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz) is used to achieve higher detection efficiency and refresh rate, then productivity is improved with dozens of detection results per second, but reliability deteriorates due to increased sensitivity to environmental factors like temperature and ambient lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor detection results for anomalies caused by environmental interference. By analyzing the consistency and validity of returned distance measurements, the system can detect when environmental factors are causing unreliable readings and take corrective actions such as filtering out anomalous data or adjusting processing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary corrections for known environmental factors before final distance calculation. By pre-compensating for temperature effects and ambient lighting interference in the signal processing chain, it reduces the impact of these factors on high-frequency detection, maintaining both productivity and reliability.
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 approach enables the detection system to achieve accurate and stable distance measurements by adapting to different fields of view and distance ranges, reducing errors to within acceptable limits, thereby enhancing the reliability of distance data and minimizing external and internal influences.
Implementation Method 1
the light receiving module obtains returned light signal which is the emitted light reflected by detected object in the field of view, and converts the returned light signal into electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a detection method for acquiring distance information, which is performed by a distance detection system including a light emitting module, a processing module and a light receiving module; the detection method including: the light emitting module emits light signals with different emitted frequencies; the light receiving module obtains returned light signal which is the emitted light reflected by detected object in the field of view, and converts the returned light signal into electrical signal; and the processing module acquires the distance information of the detected object according to the electrical signal converted from the returned light signal acquired by the receiving module, wherein the processing module includes at least two sets of conversion relationships for calculating the distance information from the electrical signal, the processing module acquires the distance information of the detected object according to one of the conversion relationships.