Scattered Light Reference Pixel for Phase Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the intensity and phase of intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signals face errors due to scattered light influences, particularly in non-ideal imaging optical systems, leading to hybrid phases and incorrect distance measurements in applications like distance measurement via transit time analysis.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that incorporate a scattered light reference pixel outside the imaging portion of the detector to record measurement values for scattered light signals, allowing for correction of intensity and phase determinations by processing these values alongside those from the pixel matrix, thereby offsetting errors caused by scattered light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging optical means is used to focus intensity-modulated radiation signal onto the detector, then the signal detection capability is improved, but scattered light influences cause hybrid phases and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into two distinct functional regions: an imaging portion for receiving the intensity-modulated radiation signal and a reference portion for receiving scattered light. This segmentation allows separate measurement and correction of scattered light effects, resolving the contradiction by isolating the harmful scattered light from the main signal detection path while maintaining the imaging capability for accurate signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference portion acts as an intermediary element that measures scattered light independently. By introducing this intermediate measurement channel, the system can quantify and subsequently correct scattered light influences on the main signal, thereby improving measurement precision without eliminating the imaging optical means.
2Productivity
If a pixel matrix is placed within the imaging portion to record measurement values, then the detection efficiency is improved, but scattered light superimposition causes hybrid phases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel matrix is spatially segmented between the imaging portion and reference portion. Pixels in the imaging portion maintain high detection efficiency for the intensity-modulated signal, while pixels in the reference portion specifically measure scattered light. This segmentation allows both high productivity in signal detection and high reliability in phase determination through scattered light correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference portion provides feedback information about scattered light levels and characteristics. This feedback is used to correct the measurement values from the imaging portion, thereby eliminating hybrid phases and ensuring accurate phase determination while maintaining high detection efficiency through the pixel matrix.
3Measurement precision
If scattered light reference pixel is added outside the imaging portion, then scattered light correction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference pixels use the same photodetector structure and materials as the imaging pixels, maintaining technological uniformity. The scattered light correction capability is achieved by utilizing the inherent scattering properties of the imaging optical means itself, rather than requiring separate correction hardware, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging optical means serves a dual function: it performs the primary imaging function for signal detection and simultaneously generates measurable scattered light that can be used for correction. The scattered light reference pixels automatically receive and measure this scattered light without requiring additional illumination sources or complex generation mechanisms, allowing the system to self-correct for scattered light effects.
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 effectively reduces errors in distance measurements by isolating and correcting for scattered light influences, providing accurate intensity and phase data for intensity-modulated radiation signals, even in non-ideal imaging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging optical means (7) for imaging an intensity-modulated radiation signal onto the detector
Implementation Method 2
at least one scattered light reference pixel (10) arranged outside the imaging portion (16) of the detector and so adapted that in operation it records measurement values for an intensity-modulated scattered light signal (9)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an intensity and/or a phase of intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal, having a detector and imaging optics for imaging an intensity-modulated radiation signal onto the detector. In comparison with this, the present invention addresses the problem of providing an apparatus for reducing scattered light influences on an intensity and/or phase determination of the intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal. In order to solve this problem, the invention proposes configuring the apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset in such a manner that said apparatus has at least one scattered light reference pixel, which is arranged outside an imaging section of the imaging optics and is set up in such a manner that said pixel records measured values for an intensity-modulated scattered light signal during operation, and a determination device which is set up in such a manner that said determination device processes measured values from at least one pixel in a pixel matrix of the detector inside the imaging section as a first data input and measured values from at least one scattered light reference pixel as a second data input during operation in such a manner that said determination device determines a corrected intensity of the intensity-modulated radiation signal and/or a corrected relative phase between the intensity modulation of the intensity-modulated radiation signal and a reference signal at least for the pixel inside the imaging section and provides said intensity and/or phase as a data output.