Patent ID: 6108071
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: G01B,G01S

Abstract:
A method of determining a distance to a target object, comprising the steps of:emitting a pulse of radiation toward the target object;inputting a signal to an electronic delay module when the pulse of radiation is emitted;latching states of a plurality of tap lines of the electronic delay module when a first clock signal from a clock is generated after the pulse of radiation is emitted;determining a start time based on clock signals from a clock and the latched states of the plurality of tap lines;detecting a portion of the emitted pulse of radiation that is reflected back from the target object;determining a stop time based on when the reflected radiation is detected;determining a time of flight for the emitted pulse of radiation to travel to and back from the target object based on the start time and the stop time; anddetermining a distance to the target object based on the determined time of flight.