TOF Data Accumulation for Longer-Range Laser Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detection distance of laser ranging devices is limited due to the limited capacity of memory used for storing time of flight data.
Innovation Solution
A time of flight statistical device that performs accumulation and superposition processing on time of flight data sets to increase the detection distance by efficiently utilizing memory storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the memory capacity is increased to store more time of flight data, then the detection distance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time of flight data into multiple bins based on distance ranges, with each bin storing photon count data for a specific distance interval. This segmentation allows the system to manage large amounts of data in an organized manner, effectively increasing detection distance capability without requiring a single monolithic memory expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bin index dimension to organize time of flight data, where data is stored not just by raw distance but by mapped bin indices. This dimensional transformation enables efficient memory utilization by compressing the data structure while maintaining the ability to represent long distances, thus avoiding direct memory capacity expansion
2Length of stationary object
If the number of storage units is increased to store more time of flight data, then the detection distance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified memory structure that serves multiple functions: storing photon count data, managing distance bins, and supporting both near-field and far-field detection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate storage units for different distance ranges, maintaining detection distance extension while avoiding additional hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the bin width and data storage parameters based on the detection requirements. By changing the parameter of bin size and photon count thresholds, the system can adapt to different detection distances without physically adding more storage units, thus extending detection range while maintaining hardware simplicity
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
The device extends the detection distance of laser ranging devices by enabling the memory to store more time of flight data, meeting the requirements for long-range detection without increasing the number of storage units.
Implementation Method 1
uses a photoelectric sensor to receive a returned echo light beam
Implementation Method 2
uses a light source to emit a continuous or pulsed outgoing light beam
Data Source
AI summary
The application provides a time of flight (TOF) statistical device and a laser ranging device. The TOF statistical device includes a statistical unit and a memory. The statistical unit is used for obtaining S first initial time of flight data sets in S first integration periods, performing accumulation processing on each first initial time of flight data set in each group of every adjacent N first initial time of flight data to obtain S accumulated time of flight data sets corresponding to the S first initial time of flight data sets, and performing superposition processing on the S accumulated time of flight data sets to obtain a superposition time of flight data set, where S is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and Nis a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.