Laser ADC Gating in Pulsed Mode for Higher Signal Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern laser systems require precise control and monitoring of laser parameters, but existing analog-to-digital converters face challenges in achieving high accuracy and efficiency due to high dynamic range requirements and signal noise, especially when operating in continuous mode.

Innovation Solution

The method involves operating the laser system in pulsed mode with defined time intervals, enabling the analog-to-digital converter during light emission and blocking it during non-emission periods, reducing the dynamic range and improving signal-to-noise ratio, while using intensity modulation and defining a delay period to account for laser settling and overshoot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the analog-to-digital converter operates in continuous mode to monitor laser parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The analog-to-digital converter operates periodically only during defined time intervals when light pulses are emitted, rather than continuously. This periodic operation reduces the dynamic range requirements and simplifies the converter design while maintaining measurement precision during the active measurement periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The operating state of the analog-to-digital converter is dynamically changed based on the laser emission state. The converter is enabled during light pulse emission and disabled during non-emission periods, adapting its operation to the actual measurement needs and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the analog-to-digital converter operates continuously with high dynamic range to capture all laser power levels, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiduse of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The converter operates periodically only during defined time intervals when light pulses are emitted, rather than continuously. This periodic operation reduces the dynamic range requirements and simplifies the converter design while maintaining measurement precision during the active measurement periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the laser operates in continuous mode to provide stable light output, then reliability is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The laser operates in pulsed mode, emitting light only during defined time intervals. This periodic operation increases the peak power during emission, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining system reliability through controlled, repeatable pulse emission cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The laser operating parameters are changed from continuous low power to pulsed high power operation. This parameter change increases the signal strength during measurement intervals, improving the signal-to-noise ratio while the average power remains controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the analog-to-digital converter handles the full dynamic range from zero to maximum laser power, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4692843A1Method for operating an analog-to-digital converter in a laser system

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for operating an analog-to-digital converter (2) in a laser system (1), comprising the following steps: - initiating (101) operation of the laser system (1) in pulsed laser mode, wherein light is emitted by the laser system (1) only during defined time intervals during pulsed laser mode, - enabling (102) operation of the analog-to-digital converter (2) of the laser system (1) during the defined time intervals of pulsed laser mode in which light is emitted by the laser system (1), - blocking (103) operation of the analog-to-digital converter (2) during time intervals of pulsed laser mode in which no light is emitted by the laser system (1). The invention further relates to a computer program, a device, and a storage medium for this purpose.