Timing Circuit Parallel Processing for Distance Image Acquisition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pulse TOF sensors are limited by low sensitivity, slow measurement speed, and mechanical stress on mirror scanners, making them unsuitable for outdoor applications and dynamic distance imaging.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a timing circuit with parallel processing of start and signal pulses across multiple channels, enabling increased sensitivity and speed without moving parts, and using a single mirror scanner for 3D distance image recording, along with a novel timing IC design for efficient time measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pulse repetition rate is increased to improve measurement speed, then productivity increases, but sensitivity deteriorates due to noise pulse detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple independent time windows within a single TOF period. Each time window can detect echo pulses independently, allowing the system to process multiple potential echoes without increasing the overall pulse repetition rate. This segmentation enables faster effective measurement while maintaining sensitivity by keeping the actual pulse emission rate low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multiple echo pulse detection beyond the single echo limitation of conventional systems. By detecting and processing multiple echo pulses within one TOF period, the system achieves improved measurement speed and reliability without requiring proportionally higher pulse repetition rates, thus avoiding the sensitivity degradation that would result from excessive pulsing.
2Device complexity
If single echo pulse detection is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to inability to process multiple echoes
Solution Approach 1:
The timing circuit is segmented into multiple independent detection channels, each capable of detecting echo pulses within specific time windows. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple echoes using relatively simple individual channels, avoiding the need for complex centralized processing while enabling multi-echo detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial multi-echo detection by providing capabilities for detecting more than one echo pulse without fully implementing complete multi-target tracking. This partial implementation achieves improved productivity over single-echo systems while maintaining manageable device complexity through selective enhancement of detection capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mirror scanners are used for 2D/3D distance image recording, then adaptability improves, but mechanical stress increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirror scanners with electronically controlled beam steering or fixed optical arrays. By using electronic control signals to direct the laser beam or to selectively activate different receiver elements, the system achieves 2D/3D distance image recording capability without the mechanical moving parts that cause stress and reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing circuit is designed with multi-functional capability to handle both single-point distance measurement and multi-point distance image recording. By providing universal detection and processing capabilities that work for both applications, the system eliminates the need for specialized mechanical scanning hardware, thereby improving reliability while maintaining adaptability.
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 significantly enhances the sensitivity and speed of 2D and 3D distance image acquisition, allowing for accurate and rapid measurement in various weather conditions and reducing mechanical stress on scanners, making it suitable for outdoor and dynamic applications.
Implementation Method 1
The task of distance measurement is to measure the time between the emission of pulsed electromagnetic radiation, here referred to as 'signal' or 'signal pulse' for short, and the arrival of the signal pulses reflected by targets as so-called 'echo pulses'. Due to the constancy of the propagation speed of electromagnetic radiation, these times can be converted into distances to the reflecting target.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7
Figure 8a~8b
AI summary
The method involves arranging number of transmitters (15) in an array for each recorded distance picture. The distances of objects forming a distance picture point, on which the transmitter pulses (14) are reflected, are measured by determining the propagation time. The belonging pulse linkages are formed, while the starting pulse and the receiver pulse are consolidated timely. The stored event lists of all time measuring channels are read and evaluated in order to compute the distance values in the distance picture points corresponding to the time information contained in the list. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) device for recording distance pictures showing a number of distance picture points (2) integrated circuit (IC) component for execution of the method.