Segmented Receiving Areas for High-Resolution Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance determination methods, such as TOF sensors, face challenges in achieving high resolution and reducing motion blur when determining distances, particularly in environments where objects are moving or in scenarios requiring precise distance measurement over extended ranges.
Innovation Solution
The method employs at least two receiving areas to detect signal portions of echo signals in different acquisition time ranges within a modulation period sequence, with the interval between these ranges being shorter than the modulation period, allowing for the characterization of the reception envelope and determination of phase shift, which is used to calculate distance. This approach can be applied in various detection devices, including LiDAR systems, to improve resolution and reduce motion blur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single receiving area is used to detect echo signals over a full modulation period, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and resolution of distance determination deteriorates due to motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving area is divided into multiple segmented receiving areas (first, second, third, fourth receiving areas), each responsible for detecting signal portions during specific acquisition time ranges. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of multiple signal portions within one modulation period, improving distance resolution without requiring multiple full modulation periods, thus avoiding motion blur while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the transmission signal and corresponds acquisition time ranges within each modulation period. By detecting signal portions at different phases within the same modulation period using multiple receiving areas, the system achieves high-resolution distance measurement without extending the measurement time, thereby eliminating motion blur while maintaining periodic operation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiving areas are used to detect signal portions in different acquisition time ranges, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple receiving areas are designed with identical detection functionality, each capable of detecting signal portions during its assigned acquisition time range. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through parallel detection without requiring fundamentally different or specialized components for each receiving area, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection results from multiple receiving areas to determine distance variables. By merging the signal portions detected in different acquisition time ranges and processing them together, the system achieves improved measurement precision while utilizing a unified detection framework, thus managing device complexity through integrated processing rather than separate independent systems.
3Reliability
If the acquisition time range is extended to cover the full modulation period, then the signal detection capability is improved, but motion blur increases reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous signal detection by using multiple receiving areas that operate simultaneously during different acquisition time ranges within the same modulation period. This continuous parallel detection ensures no useful signal information is lost while avoiding the need to extend the overall measurement time, thereby maintaining both signal detection capability and measurement precision without motion blur.
Solution Approach 2:
By structuring the detection process around periodic modulation periods with multiple acquisition time ranges distributed within each period, the system ensures continuous useful action across the entire modulation period. Each receiving area captures signal portions at optimal phases, maintaining high signal detection capability while the periodic structure prevents motion blur by completing all detections within one period.
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 method enhances the resolution of distance determination and reduces motion blur by using multiple receiving areas to capture signal portions across shorter acquisition time ranges, enabling precise distance measurement over several tens of meters and improving the characterization of the reception envelope, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
at least one modulated electrical transmission signal is used to generate at least one accordingly modulated electromagnetic scanning signal
Implementation Method 2
at least one receiving area detects at least one signal portion of at least one electromagnetic echo signal of at least one scanning signal reflected by at least one object
Implementation Method 3
TOF (Time-of-Flight) distance sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a detection device for determining distance variables that characterize distances of detected objects is described. A modulated electrical transmission signal is used to produce a correspondingly modulated electromagnetic scanning signal, which is transmitted into a monitoring region. At least one reception range (EL) is used to detect at least one signal portion of an electromagnetic echo signal of the scanning signal in at least one defined capture time range (TB) and to convert it into a corresponding electrical received signal. At least one received signal is used to determine at least one distance variable. At least one defined capture time range (TB) that is shorter than a modulation period of the at least one transmission signal is predefined. For at least one modulation period sequence (MPS), which comprises at least one modulation period of the at least one transmission signal, at least two reception ranges (EL) are used to detect respective signal portions of the echo signal as electrical reception variables in different defined capture time ranges (TB). In at least two successive modulation period sequences (MPS), at least two reception ranges (EL) are used to detect respective signal portions of the echo signal as electrical reception variables in different capture time ranges (TB). The interval of time between the at least two capture time ranges (TB) is shorter than the period duration of a modulation period of the electrical transmission signal.