Patent ID: 9217635
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: G01B,G01S

Abstract:
1. A system for remote distance measurement, comprising: a light source assembly configured to transmit modulated light to a point whose distance is to be measured in the field of view of said system; a pixelated detector, adapted to receive light reflected from said point and imaged onto a pixel of said detector; said received light having a temporal signature arising from the distance of said point from said system; an acousto-optic modulator, disposed relative to said pixelated detector, such that said received reflected light passes therethrough before impinging on said pixelated detector; and a control system adapted to calculate said distance of said point from the temporal signature of said received light, wherein said acousto-optic modulator is excited with a travelling modulating acoustic wave generated from a pair of acoustic waves having a difference in waveform which mix acoustically in said acousto-optic modulator, such that passage of modulated light received from said point through said acousto-optic modulator, generates a converted modulated optical wave containing said temporal signature information in a frequency range substantially less than that related to said modulation of said transmitted light.