Lidar Temporal Pulse Correlation for Noise-Resistant Time of Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face challenges in accurately determining time of flight and position of objects, especially in environments with strong noise levels, where signal magnitude is comparable to or less than noise, and in applications requiring quantum security.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an emitter and receiver configured to output and detect pulses with specific temporal patterns, using a correlator to extract time of flight measurements, and incorporates quantum security through encoding pulses with quantum information, allowing for secure communication and improved noise resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional LIDAR systems are used to measure time of flight, then basic ranging functionality is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates in environments with strong noise levels where signal magnitude is comparable to or less than noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using repetitive pulse sequences with specific temporal patterns. Multiple pulses are transmitted in sequences and the received signals are correlated to extract time of flight information. This periodic transmission allows accumulation of signal information over multiple cycles, improving measurement precision in noisy environments through statistical processing of repeated measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage using correlation techniques. Instead of directly measuring individual pulse returns, the system uses a correlator that compares received signals against known transmitted pulse patterns. This intermediary correlation process acts as a filter that enhances the weak signal component while suppressing uncorrelated noise, thereby improving measurement accuracy in noisy conditions.
2Reliability
If quantum security encoding is incorporated into LIDAR systems, then communication security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a LIDAR system that simultaneously performs multiple functions: traditional time of flight ranging and quantum-secure communication. The same pulse transmission and reception infrastructure is used for both measurement and secure communication purposes. The temporal pulse patterns serve dual roles in enabling both ranging functionality and quantum key distribution, reducing overall system complexity despite incorporating quantum security features.
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 accurate time of flight determination even in noisy conditions and provides secure communication by leveraging digital correlation and quantum encoding, enhancing the reliability and security of LIDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR is one examples of a system that is used in surveying to measure the time that a pulse takes to reach a target
Implementation Method 2
a correlator adapted to correlate the first pattern with the received plurality of pulses to output a correlated pattern
Implementation Method 3
The receiver is a triggered receiver, for example where an input photon triggers an avalanche. For example the receiver can be capable of operating in Geiger mode
Data Source
AI summary
An investigative system, comprising:an emitter, said emitter being adapted to output a plurality of pulses, said plurality of pulses being arranged in a first temporal pattern;a receiver adapted to receive said plurality of pulses; anda correlator adapted to correlate the first pattern with the received plurality of pulses to output a correlated pattern.