Constant fraction discriminator in pulsed time-of-flight laser rangefinding

doi:10.1007/s12200-012-0229-2

Front Optoelec

2012, Vol. 5

Issue (2) : 182-186 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12200-012-0229-2

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Constant fraction discriminator in pulsed time-of-flight laser rangefinding

Ruitong ZHENG(

), Guanhao WU

State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Download: PDF(372 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

Constant fraction discriminator (CFD) is one of theoretic method which can locate timing point at same fraction of echo pulse in pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser rangefinding. In this paper, the theory of CFD method was analyzed in reality condition. The design, simulation and printed-circuit-board (PCB) performance of CFD circuit were shown. Finally, an over amplified method was introduced, by which the influence of direct-current (DC) bias error could be reduced. The experimental results showed that timing discriminator could set the timing point to a certain point on echo pulse, which did not depend on the amplitude of echo pulse.

Keywords constant fraction discriminator (CFD) time-of-flight (TOF) pulsed TOF laser rangending direct-current (DC) bias error

Corresponding Author(s): ZHENG Ruitong,Email:zrt08@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn

Issue Date: 05 June 2012

Cite this article:

Ruitong ZHENG,Guanhao WU. Constant fraction discriminator in pulsed time-of-flight laser rangefinding[J]. Front Optoelec, 2012, 5(2): 182-186.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/10.1007/s12200-012-0229-2
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/Y2012/V5/I2/182

Fig.1 Theory of CFD, triangle represents pulse shape

Fig.2 CFD circuit

Fig.3 Results of CFD simulation. Input signal with amplitude 0.42 and 1.60 V are shown in (a) and (b) respectively. Dash curve is delayed signal, blue curve is the attenuated signal with 100 mV DC bias and red curve is the attenuated signal with 50 mV DC bias

Fig.4 Experimental result of CFD circuit. Yellow (CH1) curve is the waveform of the output of pulse delay circuit. Pink (CH3) curve is the waveform of the attenuated pulse. In sub-figures (a), (b), (c) and (d), the amplitude of pulse is 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 V respectively. The trigger source of the oscilloscope is set to CH1 which is the delayed signal. The trigger voltage is automatically set to 224 mV for all of the four conditions. This setup ensures the time reference keeps unchanged during the input signal increases from 0.6 to 1.2 V

1	Wang J Y, Hong G L. Technologies and applications of laser active remote sensing. Laser & Infrared . 2006(S1): 742–748 (in Chinese)
2	Li M, Song Y, Yu J, Li C L, Tang D. High precision laser pulse distance measuring technology. Infrared and Laser Engineering , 2011, 40(8): 1469–1473 (in Chinese)
3	Aloysius W, Uwe L. Airborne laser scanning-an introduction and overview. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing , 1999, 54(2-3): 68–82
4	JIANG Y B. Array imaging three dimensional ladar. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree . Hangzhou: Zhejiang University, 2009 (in Chinese)
5	Ailisto H, Heikkinen V, Mitikka R, Myllyl? R, Kostamovaara J, M?ntyniemi A, Koskinen M. Scannerless imaging pulsed-laser range finding. Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics , 2002, 4(6): S337–S346
6	Heinrichs R M, Aull B F, Marino R M, Fouche D G, McIntosh A K, Zayhowski J J, Stephens T, O’Brien M E, Albota M A. Three-dimensional laser radar with APD arrays. Laser Radar Technology and Applications VI , 2001, 4377(1): 106–117
7	Liu X B, Li L. Design of the optical system of flash lidar based on an APD array. Infrared and Laser Engineering , 2009, 38(5): 893–896 (in Chinese)
8	Paloj?rvi P. Integrated Electronic and Optoelectronic Circuits and Devices for Pulsed Time-of-Flight Laser Rangefinding. Finland:Oulun Yliopisto, 2003
9	HU C S. Investigation into the high-speed pulsed laser diode 3D-imaging ladar. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Changsha:.National University of Defense Technology, 2005 (in Chinese)
10	Zheng R, Wu G. Infrared pulsed semiconductor laser range finder. Infrared and Laser Engineering , 2010, 39(S): 134–138 (in Chinese)

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed