Signal response of a laser beam scanner

Kalevi Hyyppae

doi:10.1117/12.177107

Abstract

A laser beam scanner, used as an angle measuring device in a particular navigation system for mobile robots, has been developed. It measures heading angles to beacons made of vertical stripes of retroreflective tape. Expressions giving the received power and energy in the pulse, which is generated when a beacon is traversed by the laser beam, are given. Measurements support the derived expressions. The shape and amplitude of the pulse are functions of the range R to the beacon, but at long range the pulse shape and width become independent of range while the dependence of the received amplitude on range becomes R^-3. At long range the pulse shape is determined by the Gaussian irradiance distribution in the laser beam and the pulse width is governed by the laser beam divergence and the scanning speed. Design rules for the optimum field of view of the receiving optics and for an electrical filter, which maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio, are proposed. An expression giving a conservative estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio is derived.

Citation Download Citation

Kalevi Hyyppae, Kalevi Hyyppae, } "Signal response of a laser beam scanner," Optical Engineering 33(8), (1 August 1994). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.177107 . Submission:

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Email or Username Forgot your username?

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email/Username on this computer

Remember Password

No SPIE account? Create an account
or Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $20.00

Non-members: $25.00 ADD TO CART

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years