Optical Detection Angular Pulse Overlap Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical detection apparatuses cannot reliably distinguish between objects of different sizes within a scanning angle range due to limited resolution, as they generate similar averaged received signals for large and small objects, making it difficult to determine the spatial extent of objects and distinguish between relevant and irrelevant objects like dust specks.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus transmits pulses with a reduced angular overlap, allowing only a small number of pulses to interact with small objects, resulting in distinct averaged received signals that differentiate between large and small objects by varying the number and amplitude of reflections, enabling precise object size determination and classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If transmitted pulses with large angular extent are used to cover a scanning angle range, then the detection coverage is improved, but the resolution for distinguishing object sizes deteriorates because similar numbers of pulses interact with both large and small objects
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning angle range is divided into multiple discrete angular positions, with transmitted pulses directed at each position. By segmenting the detection process into discrete angular steps and using a small angular extent for each pulse, the system achieves both adequate coverage through multiple positions and high resolution by ensuring each pulse interacts with only a limited angular sector, thereby distinguishing small objects from large ones
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from considering only the angular coverage dimension to incorporating the angular extent dimension as a separate control parameter. By independently optimizing the angular spacing between pulses and the angular extent of each pulse, the system resolves the contradiction by operating in this expanded parameter space, where small angular extent combined with appropriate spacing enables both coverage and resolution
2Reliability
If the angular spacing between transmitted pulses is reduced to increase the number of pulses in a group, then the statistical quality of the averaged received signal is improved, but the ability to distinguish small objects deteriorates because more pulses overlap on the object
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the angular extent parameter of the transmitted pulses to a specific small value that satisfies the inequality relationship with angular spacing. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both sufficient signal quality through averaging multiple pulses and adequate object size discrimination by limiting the overlap of pulses on small objects, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and measurement precision
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 allows for reliable detection and classification of objects based on size, distinguishing between objects of specific minimum size and smaller objects, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design, enabling accurate object size determination and spatial localization.
Implementation Method 1
receive the radiation of the transmitted pulses respectively returning from the detection zone
Data Source
AI summary
An optical detection apparatus is configured to transmit pulses into a detection zone after one another in different directions which follow one another in a scanning direction over a scanning angle, to receive the radiation of the transmitted pulses returning from the detection zone, to generate a received signal with respect to each transmitted pulse, said received signal depending on the variation with time of the returning radiation of the transmitted pulse, and to average the received signals of a group of transmitted pulses to generate an averaged received signal. The angular extent relating to the scanning angle of at least one transmitted pulse of the group at a spacing from the detection apparatus disposed within the detection zone is at most 25 times the size of the angular spacing relating to the scanning angle between two transmitted pulses of the group directly adjacent one another in the scanning direction.