Patent ID: 6723976
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
An optical detector comprising a system for emission and reception capable of generating a pulsed emission electrical current and consequently emitting a pulsed optical beam towards an object and able to process a voltage signal received which is produced by the pulsed optical beam returned by the object and according to the presence and/or distance of the object, the system of emission and reception comprising means for regulation of an emission current, which detect the value (V) of a voltage signal received relative to a maximum voltage value (Vmax) and a regulation value of minimum voltage (Vmin) which are predetermined, these values defining a regulation interval (Z1) together with a zone of high voltage (Z2) and a zone of low voltage (Z3), and the means of regulation are combined in such a way that, when the voltage signal (V) is situated in the regulation interval (Z1), the emission current is regulated by control means (18,19) to bring the voltage signal to a required value (Vopt) and, when the voltage signal (V) is situated in the high zone (Z2) or the low zone (Z3), the emission current is multiplied or divided by a predetermined factor (k) which is at most equal to the ratio of the maximum and minimum voltage values Vmax/Vmin or respectively minimum and maximum Vmin/Vmax, so that the voltage signal is centered rapidly in the regulation interval (Z1), and then regulated by control means (18,19).