Distance-Measuring Optoelectronic Sensor Using Periodically Modulated Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance-measuring technologies face limitations in measurement accuracy, range, and multi-echo capability due to the trade-offs between pulse-based and phase-based methods, with pulse methods offering high range and signal-to-noise ratio but limited accuracy, and phase methods providing high accuracy but limited range and uniqueness issues.
Innovation Solution
A distance-measuring optoelectronic sensor that combines pulse and phase methods by using a periodically modulated pulse, determining the reception time and phase offset to calculate the object's distance, allowing for high accuracy and range while overcoming the limitations of both methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pulse methods are used for distance measurement, then range and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pulse-based time-of-flight measurement with phase-based measurement by using periodically modulated pulses. The system determines both the reception time of individual pulses and the phase offset of the modulation, merging the advantages of both methods to achieve high measurement accuracy while maintaining the long range and high signal-to-noise ratio characteristics of pulse methods.
2Measurement precision
If phase methods are used for distance measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but range and uniqueness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges phase-based measurement with pulse-based time-of-flight measurement. By using periodically modulated pulses and determining both reception time and phase offset, the system achieves the high measurement accuracy of phase methods while maintaining the long range and multi-echo detection capability of pulse methods.
3Measurement precision
If high modulation frequency is used in phase methods, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines high-frequency phase measurement with pulse-based measurement, allowing the use of high modulation frequencies (e.g., GHz range) to achieve high measurement accuracy while using standard high-frequency components that keep device complexity and cost manageable.
4Measurement precision
If high modulation frequency is used in phase methods, then measurement accuracy is improved, but bandwidth requirements and photodiode size deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges high-frequency phase measurement with pulse-based time-of-flight measurement. This combination allows the use of high modulation frequencies for high measurement accuracy while the pulse-based component handles the bandwidth and signal detection, reducing the burden on photodiode bandwidth requirements and allowing larger photodiode areas for better optical efficiency.
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 achieves a good signal-to-noise ratio with long range and multi-echo capability, high measurement accuracy, and scalability, using high-frequency components to maintain low costs and fast measurement times, even with high modulation frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
A distance-measuring sensor is aimed at a target whose distance is to be measured
Implementation Method 2
For optical distance determination, the time of flight of a light signal is often measured, which corresponds to the distance via the speed of light
Implementation Method 3
the maximum bandwidth is determined by the parasitic capacitance of the diode in conjunction with the input resistance of a trans-impedance amplifier in the reception path
Data Source
AI summary
A distance-measuring optoelectronic sensor (10) for detecting and determining a distance of an object (16) in a monitoring area (14), the sensor (10) having a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a transmission signal, a light receiver (18) for generating a reception signal and a control and evaluation unit (24) configured to determine a light time of flight from the reception signal and, from that, the distance of the object (16), wherein the control and evaluation unit (24) is further configured to transmit at least one periodically modulated pulse as a transmission signal, to determine a reception time of the pulse in the reception signal and a phase offset of the modulation between transmission signal and reception signal in a neighborhood of the reception time and to determine the distance of the object (16) from the reception time and the phase offset.