A method of measuring distance of a target by means of a pulse emitter and of a matrix detector comprising a step A) of determination of the direction of the target with respect to a known direction of the emitted pulses, and of a first integration period during which an echo of a pulse emitted by the emitter and backscattered by the target is detected by the detector, determining a first distance slice in which the target is situated, characterized in that the matrix detector comprises spatial mini-detectors coupled to capacitors with a duration of integration which is controlled by a polarization of the mini-detectors, and in that the method comprises the following steps: B) Reduction of the first distance slice in the course of successive telemetry iterations, that is to say emission of a pulse by the emitter and testing of detection of an echo by the detector, which are carried out: - on the basis of the first integration period, - by dichotomy of the duration of integration and until a predetermined minimum duration of integration is reached, and - based on the detection of an echo of the target, a second distance slice in which the target is situated, and included in the first distance slice, being determined on completion of this step on the basis of the integration period of the last iteration, C) Reduction of the second distance slice in the course of successive telemetry iterations which are carried out: - on the basis of the integration period arising from step B, - by variations of the position of the integration period, with constant durations of integration, - and based on the detection of an echo of the target, a third distance slice in which the target is situated, and included in the second distance slice, being determined on completion of this step. B) Reduction of the first distance slice in the course of successive telemetry iterations, that is to say emission of a pulse by the emitter and testing of detection of an echo by the detector, which are carried out: - on the basis of the first integration period, - by dichotomy of the duration of integration and until a predetermined minimum duration of integration is reached, and - based on the detection of an echo of the target, a second distance slice in which the target is situated, and included in the first distance slice, being determined on completion of this step on the basis of the integration period of the last iteration, - on the basis of the first integration period, - by dichotomy of the duration of integration and until a predetermined minimum duration of integration is reached, and - based on the detection of an echo of the target, C) Reduction of the second distance slice in the course of successive telemetry iterations which are carried out: - on the basis of the integration period arising from step B, - by variations of the position of the integration period, with constant durations of integration, - and based on the detection of an echo of the target, a third distance slice in which the target is situated, and included in the second distance slice, being determined on completion of this step. - on the basis of the integration period arising from step B, - by variations of the position of the integration period, with constant durations of integration, - and based on the detection of an echo of the target, <EOS>