Distance measurement and ranging instrument having a light emitting diode-based transmitter
US6043868A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A circuit and apparatus for generating a light pulse from an inexpensive light-emitting diode (LED) for an accurate distance measurement and ranging instrument comprises an LED and a firing circuit. An optional pre-biasing circuit provides a reverse-bias signal to the LED to ensure the LED does not begin to emit light before a firing circuit can provide a sufficiently high current pulse of short duration as a forward current through the LED. The LED is driven by the firing circuit with a pulse of high peak power and short duration. The resulting light pulse from the LED can be inexpensively used to derive distance and ranging information for use in a distance measurement and ranging device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.