RANGE ESTIMATION FOR LIDAR SYSTEMS USING A DETECTOR ARRAY

• Main Authors: Zhou, Qin, Guo, Yonghong, Wang, Youmin
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.03.2022
• Subjects: ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION ORRERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; TESTING

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a range estimation system for the optical sensing system. The exemplary range estimation system includes an optical detector array configured to receive a laser pulse returned from an object. The optical detector array includes a plurality of detector elements each configured to measure an intensity of the returned laser pulse. The range estimation system further includes a processor. The processor is configured to calculate an intensity-related value based on the intensities of the returned laser pulse measured using the optical detector array. The processor is further configured to determine a traveling time of the laser pulse based on the calculated intensity-related value. The processor is also configured to estimate a range between the object and the optical sensing system based on the traveling time of the laser pulse.