Adaptive optical sensor for container presence and motion

A cargo loading system for use in an aircraft, comprising:

• a cargo deck configured to support cargo;
• and
• a plurality of power drive units (PDUs) each coupled to the cargo deck and having:
• a light source configured to generate light as pulses with pulse intervals between the pulses,
• a light driver configured to control the light source to generate the light at a desired intensity,
• a light receiver configured to receive a reflection of the light,
• a processor coupled to the light receiver and configured to determine whether the cargo is positioned on the PDU based on the reflection of the light, and
• a light controller coupled to the processor and the light driver and configured to determine an adjustment to the desired intensity of the light generated by the light source based on an intensity of the reflection of the light and whether the light source is generating a pulse or a pulse interval.

A method for determining desired changes to an amount of light generated by a light source of a power drive unit (PDU), comprising:

• generating, by the light source, light as pulses with pulse intervals between the pulses;
• controlling, by a light driver, the light source to generate the light at a desired intensity;
• receiving, by a light receiver, a reflection of the light;
• receiving, by a processor and from the light receiver, an intensity of the reflection of the light;
• determining, by the processor, whether cargo is positioned on the PDU based on the intensity of the reflection of the light;
• and
• determining, by a light controller, an adjustment to the desired intensity of the light based on the intensity of the reflection of the light and whether the light source is generating a pulse or a pulse interval.