Distance Measuring Device Signal Saturation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance measuring devices using the time of flight method face challenges in accurately measuring distances due to signal saturation, especially when dealing with objects of high refractive index or those near the device, leading to errors in peak detection and unsaturated signal restoration.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device comprising a light receiver, peak detector, saturation detector, and processor that controls the magnitude of the electrical signal by adjusting bias voltage, driving signal, and amplifier gain to prevent signal saturation, utilizing components like avalanche photodiodes and constant fraction discriminators to accurately measure distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the light receiver detects reflected light from objects of high refractive index or nearby objects, then the measurement capability is improved, but signal saturation occurs leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The saturation detector performs preliminary detection of signal saturation before peak detection occurs. When saturation is detected, the system adjusts the bias voltage or driving signal in advance to prevent saturation from affecting the peak detection process, thereby ensuring reliable distance measurement for high refractive index or nearby objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the saturation detector continuously monitors the electrical signal and provides feedback to the processor. Based on this feedback, the processor dynamically adjusts the bias voltage or driving signal to maintain the signal within the optimal detection range, preventing saturation and ensuring measurement reliability
2Measurement precision
If the magnitude of the electrical signal is increased to improve detection sensitivity, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but signal saturation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the bias voltage or driving signal based on real-time signal conditions. The saturation detector monitors signal magnitude and triggers automatic adjustment when saturation is detected, allowing the system to operate at optimal sensitivity while avoiding saturation effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (bias voltage or driving signal magnitude) based on detected signal conditions. When saturation is detected, the processor adjusts these parameters to reduce signal magnitude to appropriate levels, thereby maintaining detection sensitivity without causing saturation
3Productivity
If the peak detection is performed on saturated signals, then the processing speed is maintained, but measurement errors occur due to inaccurate peak detection
Solution Approach 1:
The saturation detector performs preliminary detection before peak detection. By identifying saturated signals in advance, the system can adjust parameters to prevent saturation from corrupting the peak detection process, ensuring both speed and accuracy are maintained
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 solution effectively reduces errors in distance measurement by controlling signal magnitude, preventing saturation, and ensuring accurate peak detection, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of distance calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a light-receiver configured to detect light reflected by an object and output an electrical signal based on the detected light
Implementation Method 2
The light detector may include an avalanche photodiode (APD) or a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a distance measuring device and a method of measuring a distance. The distance measuring device detects light reflected by an object, generates an electrical signal based on the detected light, detects whether the electrical signal is saturated or not by comparing the electrical signal with a reference value, controls a magnitude of the electrical signal based on whether the signal is saturated, and calculates a distance to the object using the electrical signal.