Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments (EDMs) are essential tools in modern surveying, offering precise distance measurements by emitting electromagnetic signals and calculating the time required for these signals to travel to a target and return. Two primary types of signals are used in EDMs — light waves and microwaves — each suited to specific environmental and distance requirements. Light-wave-based EDMs utilize either infrared or laser light, providing high accuracy over short distances...

Distance Measurements by Taping

Distance Measurements by Taping

Tapes are essential in surveying for accurate, durable, and short-distance measurements. Made from lightweight, nylon-coated steel, they offer flexibility and strength for rugged outdoor use. The nylon coating protects against rust and wear, extending the tape's life. Standard lengths, around 30 meters, are marked in meters and millimeters for precision.Surveyors select tapes based on site conditions and accuracy needs. Lightweight, nylon-coated tapes are commonly used for ease of handling and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

How good are collimated Gaussian beams produced with engineered diffusers?

Applied optics·2024

Same author

Measuring the radius of curvature of spherical surfaces with actively tunable Fizeau and Twyman-Green interferometers.

Applied optics·2024

Same author

Towards a more accurate light transport model for non-line-of-sight imaging.

Optics express·2024

Same author

Simultaneous thickness and phase index measurements with a motion-free actively tunable Twyman-Green interferometer.

Applied optics·2023

Same author

Low-loss tunable beam collimator and expander assembly with no moving parts using an engineered diffuser and varifocal lenses.

Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision·2023

Same author

Robust, motion-free optical characterization of samples using actively-tunable Twyman-Green interferometry.

Scientific reports·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Published on: March 13, 2017

Noncontact distance sensor using spatial signal processing.

Nabeel A Riza¹, Syed Azer Reza

¹The College of Optics/Center for Research and Educationin Optics and Lasers, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-2700, USA. riza@creol.ucf.edu

|April 18, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel laser-based distance sensor using spatial signal processing and an electronically controlled variable focus lens (ECVFL). It accurately measures target distance by analyzing beam size, enabling noncontact applications.

More Related Videos

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator (TSPAS)

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator (TSPAS)

Published on: July 30, 2020

A Random-displacement Measurement by Combining a Magnetic Scale and Two Fiber Bragg Gratings

A Random-displacement Measurement by Combining a Magnetic Scale and Two Fiber Bragg Gratings

Published on: September 30, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Published on: March 13, 2017

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator (TSPAS)

Tactile Semiautomatic Passive-Finger Angle Stimulator (TSPAS)

Published on: July 30, 2020

A Random-displacement Measurement by Combining a Magnetic Scale and Two Fiber Bragg Gratings

A Random-displacement Measurement by Combining a Magnetic Scale and Two Fiber Bragg Gratings

Published on: September 30, 2019

Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Metrology
Sensor Technology

Background:

Traditional distance measurement sensors often rely on triangulation or time-of-flight principles.
Direct spatial signal processing offers a potentially more robust and versatile approach for metrology.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and demonstrate the first distance-measurement sensor utilizing direct spatial signal processing.
To develop a noncontact sensor for various object measurement parameters.

Main Methods:

Implementation of a laser beam sensor with an electronically controlled variable focus lens (ECVFL).
Observation of the target-reflected beam by an optical detector while electronically scanning the ECVFL's focal length.
Computation of target distance based on the minimum spatial size of the received beam, corresponding to a specific ECVFL focal length.

Main Results:

Successful demonstration of the sensor using a 633 nm He-Ne laser and a liquid ECVFL.
Achieved accurate target distance measurements ranging from 6 to 109 cm.
Attained a sensor resolution of less than 1.7%.

Conclusions:

The proposed sensor represents a novel approach to distance measurement through direct spatial signal processing.
The technology shows promise for diverse noncontact applications including distance, displacement, 3D structure, and level sensing.