Three-dimensional tomographic imaging camera
US8928865B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/34
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A detection apparatus and method for FMCW LIDAR employ signals whose frequencies are modified so that low-cost and low-speed photodetector arrays can be employed for range detection. The LIDAR includes a single mode swept frequency laser (SFL), whose optical frequency is varied with time, as a result of which, a target beam reflected back by the target is shifted in frequency from a reference beam by an amount that is proportional to the relative range z to the target. The reflected target beam is combined with the reference beam and detected by the photodetector array. The difference between the frequencies of the reflected target beam and the reference beam is reduced to a level that is within the bandwidth of the photodetector array by first modulating the target and/or reference beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.