This article provides a comprehensive exploration of laser ranging technology, tracing its historical evolution, elucidating its core principles, and highlighting its diverse applications. Intended for laser engineers, R&D teams, and optical academia, this piece offers a blend of historical context and modern understanding.
The Genesis and Evolution of Laser Ranging
Originating in the early 1960s, the first laser rangefinders were primarily developed for military purposes [1]. Over the years, the technology has evolved and expanded its footprint across various sectors, including construction, topography, aerospace [2], and beyond.
Laser technology is a non-contact industrial measurement technique that offers several advantages when compared to traditional contact-based ranging methods:
- Eliminates the need for physical contact with the measuring surface, preventing deformations that can lead to measurement errors.
- Minimizes wear and tear on the measurement surface since it doesn't involve physical contact during measurement.
- Suitable for use in special environments where conventional measurement tools are impractical.
Principles of Laser Ranging:
Laser ranging utilizes three primary methods: laser pulse ranging, laser phase ranging, and laser triangulation ranging. Each method is associated with specific commonly used measuring ranges and levels of accuracy.
Laser Pulse Ranging:
Primarily employed for long-distance measurements, typically exceeding kilometer-level distances, with lower accuracy, typically at the meter level.
Laser Phase Ranging:
Ideal for medium- to long-distance measurements, commonly used within ranges of 50 meters to 150 meters.
Laser Triangulation:
Mainly used for short-distance measurements, typically within 2 meters, offering high accuracy at the micron level, although it has limited measurement distances.
Applications and Advantages
Laser ranging has found its niche in various industries:
Construction: Site measurements, topographical mapping, and structural analysis.
Automotive: Enhancing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Aerospace: Terrain mapping and obstacle detection.
Mining: Tunnel depth assessment and mineral exploration.
Forestry: Tree height calculation and forest density analysis.
Manufacturing: Precision in machinery and equipment alignment.
The technology offers several advantages over traditional methods, including non-contact measurements, reduced wear and tear, and unmatched versatility.
Lumispot Tech's solutions in the Laser Ranging Field
Erbium-Doped Glass Laser (Er Glass Laser)
Our Erbium-Doped Glass Laser, known as the 1535nm Eye-Safe Er Glass Laser, excels in eye-safe rangefinders. It offers reliable, cost-effective performance, emitting light absorbed by the cornea and crystalline eye structures, ensuring retina safety. In laser ranging and LIDAR, especially in outdoor settings requiring long-distance light transmission, this DPSS laser is essential. Unlike past products, it eliminates eye damage and blinding hazards. Our laser uses co-doped Er: Yb phosphate glass and a semiconductor laser pump source to produce a 1.5um wavelength, making it perfect for, Ranging, and Communications.
Laser ranging, particularly Time-of-Flight (TOF) ranging, is a method used to determine the distance between a laser source and a target. This principle is widely used in various applications, from simple distance measurements to complex 3D mapping. Let's create a diagram to illustrate the TOF laser ranging principle.
The basic steps in TOF laser ranging are:
Emission of Laser Pulse: A laser device emits a short pulse of light.
Travel to Target: The laser pulse travels through the air to the target.
Reflection from Target: The pulse hits the target and is reflected back.
Return to Source: The reflected pulse travels back to the laser device.
Detection: The laser device detects the returning laser pulse.
Time Measurement: The time taken for the round trip of the pulse is measured.
Distance Calculation: The distance to the target is calculated based on the speed of light and the measured time.
This year, Lumispot Tech has launched a product perfectly suited for application in the TOF LIDAR detection field, an 8-in-1 LiDAR light source. Click to learn more if you are interested
Laser Ranging Module
This product series primarily focuses on a human eye-safe laser ranging module developed based on the 1535nm erbium-doped glass lasers and 1570nm 20km Rangefinder Module, which are categorized as Class 1 eye-safety standard products. Within this series, you'll find laser rangefinder components from 2.5km to 20km with compact size, lightweight build, exceptional anti-interference properties, and efficient mass production capabilities. They are highly versatile, finding applications in laser ranging, LIDAR technology, and communication systems.