Ranging Device Charge Accumulation Crosstalk Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ranging devices with multiple range sensors often measure different distances even when they should be equivalent due to crosstalk effects, which are influenced by the disposition of charge-accumulating regions, leading to inaccuracies in distance calculations.
Innovation Solution
A ranging device configuration with a light source emitting pulse light and a range image sensor having first and second charge-accumulating regions, where the first and second transfer-electrodes are used to alternately switch the phase of pulse-transfer-signals to balance the effects of crosstalk, allowing charges to be accumulated in both regions in a balanced manner, thereby reducing differences in measured distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple range sensors are disposed in a one-dimensional direction, then the measurement coverage is improved, but crosstalk between adjacent sensors causes measurement precision to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charge accumulation process into multiple time slots, with each charge-accumulating region accumulating charges during a specific time period. This temporal segmentation allows charges from different time slots to be accumulated in different regions, reducing crosstalk between adjacent sensors while maintaining measurement coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of transfer signals to different charge-accumulating regions in a cyclic manner. By periodically switching the phase of transfer signals, charges from adjacent sensors are directed to different accumulation regions at different time periods, balancing crosstalk effects and improving measurement precision.
2Productivity
If charge-accumulating regions are disposed to sandwich the charge-generating region, then charge distribution efficiency is improved, but crosstalk effects become asymmetric causing measurement precision to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent periodically switches the phase of transfer signals applied to charge-accumulating regions on opposite sides of the charge-generating region. By alternating the phase between time periods, asymmetric crosstalk effects are balanced, ensuring that both charge-accumulating regions experience equivalent net crosstalk over a complete cycle, thereby improving measurement consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of transfer signals dynamically over time. By varying the phase of transfer signals in a periodic manner, the system compensates for asymmetric crosstalk effects, ensuring that charge distribution efficiency is maintained while measurement precision is improved through balanced crosstalk compensation.
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 configuration ensures that the effects of crosstalk are balanced between adjacent range sensors, resulting in more accurate and equivalent distance measurements across multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
charges are generated in a charge-generating region in accordance with incidence of reflected light of the pulse light reflected off the object
Implementation Method 2
Each transfer-electrode distributes charges, as the signal charges, generated in the charge-generating region into each charge-accumulating region in accordance with transfer-signals having different phases
Data Source
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AI summary
In a ranging device 10, a controlling unit CONT alternatively switches orders in time series of a first pulse-transfer-signal S1 and a second pulse-transfer-signal S2 per frame term TF and outputs the first and second pulse-transfer-signals S1, S2. Furthermore, an arithmetic unit ART arithmetizes a distance d to an object OJ based on total quantities of charges Q1 and Q2 of signal charges, in two frame term TF consecutive in the time series, accumulated in a first charge-accumulating region FD1 and a second charge-accumulating region FD2 in accordance with the first and second pulse-transfer-signals S1, S2 having an identical phase.