Laser scanning system

Details Laser scanning system Laser scanning system

1996-04-12

1998-11-03

Buczinski, Stephen C.

Optics: measuring and testing

Range or remote distance finding

With photodetection

356 515, 3561411, 356376, G01C 308, G01B 1124

Patent

active

058317198

ABSTRACT:
A laser scanner for measuring the spatial properties of objects in a scene within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. A laser diode supplies a laser beam that is intensity-modulated by a reference waveform from a waveform generator. An optical scanning system scans the scene with the intensity-modulated laser beam, and receives reflected intensity-modulated light and supplies it to an optical processing system that includes an aperture that transmits a first percentage of light reflected from the maximum object distance and a second, lesser percentage of light reflected from objects closer than the maximum object distance. A photodetector receives the processed light and converts the energy into an amplitude-modulated range signal. A mixer down-converts the frequency into an IF frequency, and a first circuit converts the range signal to the form of a square wave. A phase comparator receives the processed range signal and the reference waveform and outputs a highly accurate signal indicative of the phase difference therebetween. In some embodiments a calibration target may be situated within the scene having a plurality of steps with predefined distances to use as a calibration for measurements of the spatial relationships within the scene.

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