Distance Measuring Device Using Multi-Gain Amplifier Signal Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance measurement techniques using time of flight (TOF) methods face challenges in accurately measuring distances, especially when objects are nearby or have a large refractive index, leading to signal saturation, and when objects are far away, resulting in weak signal magnitude, which affects measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device that includes a light receiver, amplifiers with different gain settings, peak detectors, and a processor that selects an optimum peak detection signal based on critical levels, allowing for accurate distance measurement by processing signals in both analog and digital domains, and includes a temperature sensor to adjust critical levels for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single amplifier with fixed gain is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal saturation for nearby objects or weak signals for far objects
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing path is segmented into multiple parallel channels, each with a different amplifier gain setting. Instead of using one amplifier that tries to handle all signal strengths, the system divides the processing into multiple specialized paths (first amplifier with lower gain, second amplifier with higher gain), allowing optimal processing for different object distances without requiring complex adaptive control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the amplifier gain parameter based on signal strength requirements. By providing multiple amplifiers with predetermined different gain values, the system can select the appropriate gain level to match the reflected light intensity, thereby maintaining measurement precision across varying object distances without adding complex real-time parameter adjustment mechanisms
2Measurement precision
If multiple amplifiers with different gains are used, then measurement precision improves for varying signal strengths, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic signal routing that adapts to signal strength conditions. The selector circuit dynamically chooses which amplifier output to use based on the detected signal level, creating a flexible system that responds to varying object distances. This dynamic adaptation achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex real-time parameter tuning of each amplifier
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple amplifiers with predetermined gain levels, providing more processing paths than strictly necessary. This excessive preparation ensures that regardless of the object distance or reflected light intensity, an appropriate amplifier is already available, eliminating the need for complex real-time gain adjustment mechanisms while maintaining measurement precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If peak detection is performed in the digital domain, then processing flexibility improves, but hardware cost and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces digital signal processing with analog peak detection. Instead of converting signals to digital form and performing peak detection through software algorithms, the invention uses analog peak detection circuits that directly identify signal peaks in the analog domain. This substitution reduces hardware cost and processing complexity while maintaining the necessary adaptability through the selector circuit that chooses among different amplifier outputs
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 achieves accurate distance measurement by selecting the appropriate peak detection signal based on signal strength, reducing hardware costs by processing signals in the analog domain and enhancing measurement precision across varying object distances and refractive indices.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiver configured to output an electrical signal by detecting light reflected by an object
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to radiate light in a form of a laser pulse to the object
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a distance measuring method and device for selecting an optimum peak detection signal from among a plurality of peak detection signals, based on a level of at least one of a plurality of amplified electrical signals, and measuring a distance to an object by using the selected optimum peak detection signal.