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.
Claims6
An apparatus for measuring a distance to a target, comprising:
- a transmit circuit section for generating a light pulse, comprising:
- a non-laser light-emitting diode element for generating said light pulse;
- and
- a firing circuit, coupled to said non-laser light-emitting diode element, for applying a firing signal to said light-emitting diode element to generate said light pulse;
- a pre-biasing circuit, coupled to said light-emitting diode element, for providing a reverse-bias signal to said light-emitting diode element;
- 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 ranging device to said target based on a flight time of said light pulse to and from said target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.