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Proceedings ArticleDOI

An integrated receiver channel for a laser scanner

13 May 2012-pp 1358-1361
TL;DR: In this article, an integrated receiver channel for a compact scanning automotive LIDAR sensor is presented, which is designed to meet the requirements of the traffic application, such as a very wide dynamic range of the input signal, accurate timing detection and the possibility for detecting several successive pulses that may be caused by rain or mirror reflections, for example.
Abstract: An integrated receiver channel for a compact scanning automotive LIDAR sensor is presented. It is designed to meet the requirements of the traffic application, such as a very wide dynamic range of the input signal, accurate timing detection and the possibility for detecting several successive pulses that may be caused by rain or mirror reflections, for example. The receiver operates on the leading edge timing discrimination principle. The input amplitude-dependent timing error is compensated for by measuring the pulse length with a multi-channel TDC and knowing the relation between the error and the pulse length. A timing accuracy of ± 10ps (±1.5mm in distance) within a dynamic range of 1∶22 000 was achieved.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Qun Hao1, Jie Cao1, Yao Hu1, Yunyi Yang1, Kun Li1, Tengfei Li1 
TL;DR: A pulsed-laser range finding based on differential optical-path based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is proposed, and the mathematical models are developed and verified and important conclusions are deduced.
Abstract: A pulsed-laser range finding based on differential optical-path is proposed, and the mathematical models are developed and verified. Based on the method, some simulations are carried out and important conclusions are deduced. (1) Background power is suppressed effectively. (2) Compared with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of traditional method, SNR of the proposed method is more suitable than traditional method in long-range finding and large tilt angle of target. (3) No matter what the tilt angle of target is, it always has optimal sensitivity of zero cross as long as the differential distance is equal to the light speed multiplied by the received pulse length and there is an overlap between two echoes.

40 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article presents a low-power, all-digital multichannel time-to-digital converter (TDC) for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors and can generate information for amplitude variation (walk error) compensation.
Abstract: This article presents a low-power, all-digital multichannel time-to-digital converter (TDC) for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors. The proposed TDC architecture measures the time interval through a coarse counter, middle, and fine delay line-based interpolation technique (the Nutt method). Automatic calibration by middle and fine all-digital delay-locked loops (ADDLLs) is provided to ensure the stability of the generated time slots. Charge pump, loop filter, and voltage-controlled delay line inside the conventional analog delay-locked loops (DLLs) are replaced by an accumulator (ACC) and digitally controlled delay line (DCDL). This makes the design particularly compact, low power, and suitable for multichannel applications. The presented architecture can generate information for amplitude variation (walk error) compensation. This information is generated by measuring the pulsewidth and position of three successive STOP pulses inside each channel within a single-shot measurement. A low-jitter injection-locked frequency multiplier (ILFM) generates a 625-MHz internal clock signal out of 25-MHz external reference oscillator, which shrinks the number of delay elements to cover one period of the reference clock and improves the precision of the TDC. Operation at higher frequency provides high throughput and short conversion time (less than 3 ns). The three-level TDC offers 13.1- $\mu \text{s}$ maximum input range and 50-ps resolution. The measured DNL and INL of the TDC circuit are 0.47 and 0.71 LSB, respectively. The TDC circuit is implemented in a 180-nm standard CMOS process with a die size of 1.5 mm $\times1.5$ mm. The total power consumption of the multichannel TDC is 87.6 mW.

23 citations


Cites background or methods from "An integrated receiver channel for ..."

  • ...In this architecture, TDC directly converts the traveled time of the light to a digital word and measures the time difference between the START and STOP signals [7]....

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  • ...Recently, high-precision measurement in the time-domain applications is becoming highly demanded in nuclear and ballistic science [1], [2], telecommunications, phase-difference detection in radio frequency signals [3]–[5], and Time-of-Flight (ToF) applications [6], [7]....

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Proceedings ArticleDOI
31 Oct 2013
TL;DR: A single chip integrated laser diode driver has been designed and fabricated in a high-voltage 0.35μm 50V CMOS technology for pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser ranging applications and measurements showed that a pulsing rate of at least 1 MHz is achievable.
Abstract: A single chip integrated laser diode driver has been designed and fabricated in a high-voltage 0.35μm 50V CMOS technology for pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser ranging applications. A peak current and pulse width of approximately 4 A and 2ns, respectively, can be achieved through a low ohmic load in a driver structure with four parallel switching devices. With a commercial pulsed laser diode a peak optical power of 2.3 W with a pulse width of 1.5 ns was measured. Measurements showed also that a pulsing rate of at least 1 MHz is achievable. With this pulse rate the current consumption from 5.5 V and 50 V supplies is 9 mA and 5 mA, respectively.

18 citations


Cites background from "An integrated receiver channel for ..."

  • ...Pulsed time-of-flight techniques have, however, greater potential especially in applications where the amplitude of echo from the object may vary in a wide dynamic range (more than 1: 100 000), a fast measurement is needed and/or multiple echoes from the objects may be received, which is just the case in traffic applications, for example [1, 2]....

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Patent
10 Mar 2018
TL;DR: In this paper, the pulse characteristics of each received (scattered or reflected) pulse are used to distinguish between the received pulses based on the detected pulse characteristics, such as different pulse widths or different pulse envelope shapes.
Abstract: A lidar system includes a transmitter that encodes successive transmit pulses with different pulse characteristics and a receiver that detects the pulse characteristics of each received (scattered or reflected) pulse and that distinguishes between the received pulses based on the detected pulse characteristics. The lidar system thus resolves range ambiguities by encoding pulses of scan positions in the same or different scan periods to have different pulse characteristics, such as different pulse widths or different pulse envelope shapes. The receiver includes a pulse decoder configured to detect the relevant pulse characteristics of the received pulse and a resolver that determines if the pulse characteristics of the received pulse matches the pulse characteristics of the current scan position or that of a previous scan position.

17 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
04 Mar 2018
TL;DR: In this article, a low voltage sub-nanosecond monolithic pulsed current driver for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) applications is presented, based on a controlled current source and Vernier activation sequence, combined with a monolithic implementation.
Abstract: This paper introduces a new low voltage sub-nanosecond monolithic pulsed current driver for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) applications. Unique architecture based on a controlled current source and Vernier activation sequence, combined with a monolithic implementation that allows operation with low input voltage levels, high-resolution pulse width and sub-nanosecond rise and fall times. An on-chip low voltage pulsed driver sub-nanosecond prototype has been implemented in a TS 0.18-μm 5V-gated power management process. It incorporates an integrated wide range sesnseFET based current sensor and a rail-to-rail comparator for current regulation. To characterize the avalanche capabilities of the integrated lateral MOSFET power devices required for the driver IC, a separate line of investigation has been carried out. Several lateral diffused MOS (LDMOS) power devices have been custom designed and experimentally evaluated for a life-cycle performance characterization. Post-layout analysis of the power driver IC is in a good agreement with the theoretical predictions. For a 5V input voltage, rise and fall times of the laser pulse light output are on the order of hundreds of picoseconds, with currents up to 5A. To validate the concept of high-resolution pulse width generation and short fall time, a discrete prototype has been constructed and experimentally tested.

15 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the basic principles of triangulation and time of flight (pulsed, phase-shift and frequency modulated continu- ous wave (FMCW)), discussed their respective fundamental limitations.
Abstract: We review some usual laser range finding techniques for in- dustrial applications. After outlining the basic principles of triangulation and time of flight (pulsed, phase-shift and frequency modulated continu- ous wave (FMCW)), we discuss their respective fundamental limitations. Selected examples of traditional and new applications are also briefly presented. © 2001 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

843 citations

Book
11 Mar 2005
TL;DR: This paper presents a meta-modelling system that automates the very labor-intensive and therefore time-heavy and therefore expensive and expensive process of manually winding and disconnecting receiver and modulator systems.
Abstract: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Optical Fiber. 3. Photodetectors. 4. Receiver Fundamentals. 5. Transimpledance Amplifiers. 6. Main Amplifiers. 7. Optical Transmitters. 8. Laser and Modulator Drivers. Appendix A: Eye Diagrams. Appendix B: Differential Circuits. Appendix C: S Parameters. Appendix D: Transistors and Technologies. Appendix E: Answers to the Problems. Appendix F: Notation. Appendix G: Symbols. Appendix H: Acronyms. References. Index.

415 citations


"An integrated receiver channel for ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Also, the high frequency noise will be filtered out in a multi-pole realization[11]....

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Book
01 Jan 1976
TL;DR: In addition to stressing fundamental concepts, sections on currently important areas such as spread spectrum, cellular communications, and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing are provided.
Abstract: Ziemer and Tranter provide a thorough treatment of the principles of communications at the physical layer suitable for college seniors, beginning graduate students, and practicing engineers. This is accomplished by providing overviews of the necessary background in signal, system, probability, and random process theory required for the analog and digital communications topics covered in the book. In addition to stressing fundamental concepts, sections on currently important areas such as spread spectrum, cellular communications, and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing are provided. While the book is aimed at a two-semester course, more than enough material is provided for structuring courses according to the needs of the students and the preferences of the instructor.

379 citations


"An integrated receiver channel for ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The optimum bandwidth would be about BW = 0.35/tr [9], where tr is the rise time of the pulse....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an integrated receiver channel for a pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser rangefinder has been designed and tested, where an integrated current buffer with variable attenuation between the external photodetector and the transimpedance preamplifier is placed.
Abstract: An integrated receiver channel for a pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser rangefinder has been designed and tested. The bandwidth of the receiver channel is 170 MHz, the transimpedance can be controlled in the range from 1.1 k/spl Omega/ to 260 k/spl Omega/, and the input-referred noise is /spl sim/6 pA//spl radic/Hz. The distance measurement accuracy is /spl plusmn/4.7 mm (average of 10000 measurements), taking into account walk error (input signal amplitude varies in the range 1:624) and jitter. A considerable increase in the input dynamic range of the receiver has been achieved by placing an integrated current buffer with variable attenuation between the external photodetector and the transimpedance preamplifier. Integrated electronic gain control structures together with the small size and low power consumption achieved by the use of full custom integrated technology considerably simplifies rangefinding devices for many applications. The circuit was implemented in an 0.8-/spl mu/m BiCMOS process.

100 citations


"An integrated receiver channel for ..." refers background in this paper

  • ...This means that the linear timing detection principles [7] are difficult to realize....

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