Depth Of Modulation And Spot Size Selection In Bar-Code Laser Scanners

Eric Barkan; Jerome Swartz

doi:10.1117/12.932558

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26 April 1982 Depth Of Modulation And Spot Size Selection In Bar-Code Laser Scanners

Eric Barkan, Jerome Swartz

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Proceedings Volume 0299, Advances in Laser Scanning Technology; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932558
Event: 25th Annual Technical Symposium, 1981, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Many optical and electronic considerations enter into the selection of optical spot size in flying spot laser scanners of the type used in modern industrial and commerical environments. These include: the scale of the symbols to be read, optical background noise present in the symbol substrate, and factors relating to the characteristics of the signal processor. Many 'front ends' consist of a linear signal conditioner followed by nonlinear conditioning and digitizing circuitry. Although the nonlinear portions of the circuit can be difficult to characterize mathematically, it is frequently possible to at least give a minimum depth of modulation measure to yield a worst-case guarantee of adequate performance with respect to digitization accuracy. Depth of modulation actually delivered to the nonlinear circuitry will depend on scale, contrast, and noise content of the scanned symbol, as well as the characteristics of the linear conditioning circuitry (eg. transfer function and electronic noise). Time and frequency domain techniques are applied in order to estimate the effects of these factors in selecting a spot size for a given system environment. Results obtained include estimates of the effects of the linear front end transfer function on effective spot size and asymmetries which can affect digitization accuracy. Plots of convolution-computed modulation patterns and other important system properties are presented. Considerations are limited primarily to Gaussian spot profiles but also apply to more general cases. Attention is paid to realistic symbol models and to implications with respect to printing tolerances.

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Eric Barkan and Jerome Swartz "Depth Of Modulation And Spot Size Selection In Bar-Code Laser Scanners", Proc. SPIE 0299, Advances in Laser Scanning Technology, (26 April 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932558

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