Distance measurement and ranging instrument having a light emitting diode-based transmitter
AssigneeLaser Technology, Inc.
InventorJeremy G. Dunne
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims11
A circuit for generating a light pulse responsive to a triggering signal, comprising:
- a light-emitting diode element for generating said light pulse when said light-emitting diode element is forward biased;
- a pre-biasing circuit, coupled to said light-emitting diode element, for providing a reverse-bias signal to said light-emitting diode element responsive to said triggering signal;
- and
- a firing circuit, coupled to said light-emitting diode element, for applying a forward-bias signal to said light-emitting diode element responsive to said triggering signal.
An apparatus for measuring a distance to a target, comprising:
- a transmit circuit section for generating a light pulse of known wavelength, said light pulse used to calculate said distance to said target, said transmit circuit section comprising:
- a light-emitting diode element for generating said light pulse when said light-emitting diode element is forward biased;
- a pre-biasing circuit, coupled to said light-emitting diode element, for providing a reverse-bias signal to said light-emitting diode element responsive to said triggering signal;
- and
- a firing circuit, coupled to said light-emitting diode element, for applying a forward-bias signal to said light-emitting diode element responsive to said triggering signal;
- a receive circuit section for detecting a reflection of said light pulse from said target;
- and
- a ranging section for calculating a distance from said apparatus to said target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.