Optical Data Transmission and Distance Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for simultaneous data transmission and distance measurement in driverless vehicles, such as stacker cranes, require additional hardware and suffer from reduced accuracy with increased distance due to the need for separate receivers and reflectors, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures the time offset of data signal edges relative to system clocks, with time-shifted system clocks and oversampled data signals, allowing for precise distance determination using a single communication channel without additional hardware, achieving sub-sample accuracy and millimeter-level measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate receivers and reflectors are used for distance measurement, then distance measurement capability is achieved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the data transmission receiver with the distance measurement receiver into a single receiving device. The receiving device captures both data signals and distance measurement signals (reflected light) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate receivers and reflectors, thus reducing hardware complexity while maintaining distance measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both data reception and distance measurement tasks. By using a single device that can handle both functions, the system avoids the complexity of multiple specialized components while achieving both objectives
2Measurement precision
If reflected light is used for distance measurement, then distance measurement is enabled, but measurement accuracy decreases with increased distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflector as an intermediary component that actively returns the measurement signal to the receiving device. This intermediary element ensures that the measurement signal is properly directed back, maintaining signal strength and measurement accuracy even at increased distances
3Measurement precision
If additional hardware is added for distance measurement, then distance measurement function is achieved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the distance measurement function into the existing data transmission hardware. The receiving device serves dual purposes for both data reception and distance measurement, eliminating the need for additional separate hardware components and thus preventing device size increase
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective simultaneous data transmission and distance measurement, reducing hardware complexity and increasing measurement precision, allowing for efficient operation in driverless vehicle systems like stacker cranes.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitter of the transmitting device is switched on when a binary 1 is transmitted and switched off when a binary 0 is transmitted
Implementation Method 2
a receiving device designed for optical data reception
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for simultaneous data transmission and distance measurement between a first device and a second device, wherein the first device and the second device each comprise a transmitter configured for optical data transmission, a receiver configured for optical data reception, and a control unit coupled to the transmitter and receiver, each control unit having a predetermined system clock. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a first data signal is transmitted from the first device to the second device and a second data signal is transmitted from the second device to the first device, the distance between the first device and the second device being determined based on the transmitted data signals. The time offset of the edges of one of the data signals from the respective system clock is measured several times.