Dual-Receiver Telescope Rangefinder With Phase-Shifted Signal Sync
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical rangefinders face limitations in range and flexibility, particularly in maintaining beam path alignment and reducing measurement errors during distance calculations.
Innovation Solution
The rangefinder incorporates a binocular telescope with dual receiver beam paths aligned parallel to the transmission beam path, synchronized by a phase shifter and evaluation electronics with ADCs, allowing for synchronized or phase-shifted data sampling to enhance measurement accuracy and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single receiver beam path is used in the observation beam path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and effective range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the receiver system into two separate receivers (first receiver and second receiver) with separate beam paths. Each receiver has its own ADC and processing channel, allowing independent optimization of each measurement channel while maintaining overall system precision through combined evaluation of both channels.
2Measurement precision
If dual receivers with separate beam paths are used, then measurement accuracy and range are improved, but maintaining parallel alignment of beam paths becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension through the phase shifter to compensate for spatial misalignment issues. By allowing time synchronization adjustment between the two receivers' ADC sampling, the system can achieve precise measurements even when the beam paths are not perfectly parallel, effectively moving the alignment problem from purely spatial to spatio-temporal domain.
3Productivity
If simultaneous sampling by both receivers is used, then measurement speed is improved, but synchronization errors and measurement uncertainties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic synchronization control through the phase shifter, which can adjust the time offset between the two ADC sampling operations. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between sampling speed and synchronization accuracy based on actual measurement conditions, rather than being fixed in either simultaneous or sequential mode.
4Measurement precision
If phase-shifting and alternating sampling is implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved by reducing errors, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a phase shifter as an intermediary component between the two receivers and the evaluation electronics. This phase shifter acts as a mediator that introduces controlled time delays to synchronize the sampling operations, simplifying the overall system architecture by providing a dedicated synchronization mechanism rather than requiring complex coordinated control of multiple ADC operations.
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 design achieves improved measurement accuracy and increased effective range by synchronizing dual receivers, reducing measurement errors, and enabling flexible operating modes for various distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
radiation reflected from the object is detected by a first receiver
Implementation Method 2
the distance of the object is calculated from a travel time of the radiation from the transmitter to the first receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a rangefinder for a telescope comprising a transmitter (8), preferably a laser, and a transmitting beam path, and a first receiver (9) and a first receiver beam path, wherein the first receiver beam path runs at least partially within a first observation beam path of the telescope. The rangefinder further comprises a second receiver (13) with a second receiver beam path, which is aligned parallel to the transmitting beam path and is arranged at a distance from the first observation beam path of the telescope. Preferably, the second receiver beam path runs at least partially within a second observation beam path, and the transmitting beam path runs at least partially within the first observation beam path.A control device (16) of a control and evaluation unit (15) comprises a phase shifter (22) for generating a variable time difference Δtv between the times t1n of activation of a first ADC (19) and the times t2n of activation of a second ADC (20). Digital values of the first and second ADCs (19, 20) can thus be added together to form a sum value corresponding to the intensities of the reflected radiation detected by the first receiver (9) and the second receiver (13) at the same time. The use of the phase shifter (22) to generate the variable time difference Δtv synchronizes the digital measurement signals received by the first receiver (9) and the second receiver (13). This effectively gives the two receivers (9, 13) the effect of a single receiver with approximately twice the receiving area.