Process for measuring distance with adaptive amplification

US6094159A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC · US

Inventors

• Martin Osterfeld · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
• Werner Philipps · Ludwigsburg, DE
• Anton Grabmaier · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
• Timo Brandt · Neckarsulm, DE
• Jurgen Benz · Besigheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 1999
• Grant date: Jul 25, 2000
• Expiry date: Feb 5, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S2013/93275
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process for determining the distance between a distance sensor and an object, wherein an analog input signal is directed to a transmitter of the distance sensor. The transmitter emits a wave which is reflected by the object. A receiver of the distance sensor receives the reflected wave and thereupon emits an analog output signal whose level is dependent upon the distance and/or the type of object. The output signal is amplified by a subsequently added amplifier. The amplifier signal is directed to an analog/digital converter and is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is directed to an evaluation circuit for the computation of a distance value. The signal amplification of the amplifier is controlled in an adaptively dependent manner on the level of the output signal and/or in a manner dependent on the signal value of an amplification signal made available by the evaluation circuit which is characteristic of an anticipated distance range.