Range generation using multiple analog ramps
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorJames H. Neisz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technology is provided for determining a range of a target using multiple analog ramps. A slow ramp voltage level can be identified that indicates an approximate arrival time for a light pulse to be received as a target reflection after propagating towards the target. A slope number associated with the slow ramp voltage level can be identified, wherein the slope number is an integer ranging from 0 to N. An adjusted slope number can be calculated using the slope number and fast ramp information. A coarse range and a fine range of the target can be determined using the adjusted slope number. The range of the target can be calculated by adding the coarse range and the fine range.
Claims22
A method for determining a range of a target, the method comprising:
- initiating a slow voltage ramp that monotonically increases a slow ramp voltage level when a light pulse is emitted from a laser, wherein the light pulse propagates towards the target;
- capturing the slow ramp voltage level when receiving the light pulse reflected from the target;
- determining a slope number associated with the slow ramp voltage level, wherein the slope number is an integer ranging from 0 to N;
- modifying the slope number using fast ramp information to determine an adjusted slope number used for calculating a coarse time;
- identifying one of at least two fast voltage ramps using the adjusted slope number, wherein the fast voltage ramps are used to calculate a fine time;
- adding the coarse time and the fine time to determine a composite time, wherein the composite time represents an arrival time for the light pulse;
- and
- determining the range of the target using the composite time and a speed of light constant.
A method for determining a range of a target using multiple analog ramps, the method comprising:
- identifying a slow ramp voltage level that indicates an approximate arrival time for a light pulse to be received as a target reflection after propagating towards the target;
- determining a slope number associated with the slow ramp voltage level, wherein the slope number is an integer ranging from 0 to N;
- calculating an adjusted slope number using the slope number and fast ramp information;
- determining a coarse range and a fine range of the target using the adjusted slope number;
- and
- calculating the range of the target by adding the coarse range and the fine range.
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for determining a range of a target, the LIDAR system comprising:
- a slow ramp module configured to increase a slow ramp voltage level when a light pulse is emitted and stabilize the slow ramp voltage level when the light pulse is received as a target reflection;
- a slope number module configured to determine a slope number associated with the slow voltage ramp, wherein the slope number is an integer ranging from 0 to N;
- an adjusted slope number module configured to determine an adjusted slope number using the slope number associated with the slow voltage ramp and fast ramp information;
- a time calculation module configured to use the adjusted slope number to calculate a coarse time and a fine time, wherein the fine time is calculated using one of at least two fast voltage ramps identified using the adjusted slope number;
- and
- a target range module configured to determine the range of the target using the coarse time, the fine time and a speed of light constant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.