Improving the Accuracy of TOF LiDAR Based on Balanced Detection Method.

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Photonics
• Lidar Technology

Background:

• Pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) lidar systems face limitations in ranging accuracy due to walk and jitter errors.
• Conventional single photodiode methods (SPM) are susceptible to noise and signal degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel balanced detection method (BDM) utilizing fiber delay optic lines (FDOL) for enhanced lidar ranging accuracy.
• To quantify the performance improvements of BDM compared to SPM in mitigating lidar errors.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a balanced detection method (BDM) incorporating fiber delay optic lines (FDOL).
• Experimental validation of BDM performance against conventional single photodiode methods (SPM).
• Analysis of signal characteristics, including common mode noise suppression and frequency shifting.

Main Results:

• BDM effectively suppresses common mode noise and shifts lidar signals to higher frequencies.
• Experimental results demonstrate a reduction in jitter error by approximately 52.4% using BDM.
• Walk error was maintained below 300 ps with non-distorted waveforms, showcasing BDM's stability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed balanced detection method (BDM) offers a significant advancement in improving the ranging accuracy of pulsed time-of-flight lidar.
• BDM provides a robust solution for reducing jitter error while maintaining low walk error, outperforming conventional methods.
• The BDM technology shows potential for integration with silicon photomultipliers for further applications.