Optical range calculation apparatus and method of extending a measurable range
US12055667B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 2021 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/894
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus (100) comprises a light source that emits light modulated selectively at first and second modulation frequencies. A photonic mixer cell (102) generates and stores a plurality of electrical output signals respectively corresponding to phase offset values applied in accordance with an indirect time of flight technique and in respect of the selected modulation frequency. A signal processing circuit processes a first number of the electrical output signals at the first modulation frequency to calculate a first measurement phase angle (φ1) from a calculated first measurement vector, and a second number of the electrical output signals at the second modulation frequency to calculate a second measurement phase angle (φ2) from a second calculated measurement vector. A phase angle difference (Δφ) between the first and second measurement phase angles (φ1, φ2) is then calculated and a correction value (φcorr) applied to the phase angle difference (Δφ) to yield an extended range phase angle (φext) for calculating a range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.