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A Protocol for Real-time 3D Single Particle Tracking
Published on: January 3, 2018
A real-time noise filtering strategy for photon counting 3D imaging lidar
Zijing Zhang1, Yuan Zhao, Yong Zhang
1Department of Physics, Harbin Institute of Technology, No.92, Xidazhi Road, Harbin 150001, China.
Optics Express
|April 24, 2013
Summary
This study introduces a smart strategy to improve 3D imaging lidar systems using Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes (Gm-APDs). The method effectively filters noise, enabling clear 3D image acquisition even in bright daylight conditions.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Sensing
- Lidar Technology
- Image Processing
Background:
- Direct-detection 3D imaging lidar systems benefit from Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes (Gm-APDs) for enhanced detection sensitivity.
- Gm-APDs offer advantages in system size, mass, power, and complexity.
- Noise, including background and dark counts, poses a significant challenge for clear 3D imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel strategy for filtering false alarms during raw time-of-flight (TOF) data acquisition.
- To enable real-time clear 3D image generation from lidar data.
- To overcome noise limitations in direct-detection lidar systems.
Main Methods:
- Development of a smart filtering strategy for raw TOF data.
- Implementation of real-time data processing for noise reduction.
- Experimental validation of the strategy in a direct-detection 3D imaging lidar system.
Main Results:
- Successful filtering of false alarms from raw lidar data.
- Generation of a clear 3D image of a target.
- Demonstration of effective noise suppression under bright daylight conditions.
Conclusions:
- The proposed smart strategy effectively mitigates noise in Gm-APD based 3D imaging lidar.
- Real-time 3D image acquisition is achievable with high clarity, even in challenging environments.
- This approach significantly enhances the practical applicability of direct-detection lidar systems.

