Extension Of The Dynamic Range Of Active Laser Range Finders

J.-Angelo Beraldin; Francois Blais

doi:10.1117/12.949041

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7 March 1989 Extension Of The Dynamic Range Of Active Laser Range Finders

J.-Angelo Beraldin, Francois Blais

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Proceedings Volume 1005, Optics, Illumination, and Image Sensing for Machine Vision III; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.949041
Event: 1988 Cambridge Symposium on Advances in Intelligent Robotics Systems, 1988, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Active range finders based on triangulation have proven to be very useful when dense depth maps are required. A number of range finders utilize linear or bidimensional arrays of photodetectors (photodiodes or MOS-type) to provide depth information. A practical limitation of these sensors is their relatively low saturation level. Once the saturation exposure has been reached, the accuracy drops. Many applications require a 3-D sensor with a dynamic range in excess of 100 000:1. Most sensor arrays with position evaluation circuitry have a combined dynamic range of 100:1-1 000:1. Consequently, these 3-D sensors will have limited usefulness in these applications. Some practical considerations in this field are presented and the results are given which were obtained from a system, designed in-house, that controls the laser source in such a way that the saturation exposure on the sensor array is never exceeded. These preliminary results have demonstrated an increase of the dynamic range of the sensor by a minimum factor of 100. The maximum throughput rate is typically 100 000 depth measurements per second and can be as low as 300 per second.

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J.-Angelo Beraldin and Francois Blais "Extension Of The Dynamic Range Of Active Laser Range Finders", Proc. SPIE 1005, Optics, Illumination, and Image Sensing for Machine Vision III, (7 March 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.949041

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