scholarly journals Spot Tracking and TDC Sharing in SPAD Arrays for TOF LiDAR

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 2936
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Sesta ◽  
Fabio Severini ◽  
Federica Villa ◽  
Rudi Lussana ◽  
Franco Zappa ◽  
...  

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a widespread technique for 3D ranging and has widespread use in most automated systems that must interact with the external environment, for instance in industrial and security applications. In this work, we study a novel architecture for Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays suitable for handheld single point rangefinders, which is aimed at the identification of the objects’ position in the presence of strong ambient background illumination. The system will be developed for an industrial environment, and the array targets a distance range of about 1 m and a precision of few centimeters. Since the laser spot illuminates only a small portion of the array, while all pixels are exposed to background illumination, we propose and validate through Monte Carlo simulations a novel architecture for the identification of the pixels illuminated by the laser spot to perform an adaptive laser spot tracking and a smart sharing of the timing electronics, thus significantly improving the accuracy of the distance measurement. Such a novel architecture represents a robust and effective approach to develop SPAD arrays for industrial applications with extremely high background illumination.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3839
Author(s):  
Federica Villa ◽  
Fabio Severini ◽  
Francesca Madonini ◽  
Franco Zappa

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a 3D imaging technique, widely used in many applications such as augmented reality, automotive, machine vision, spacecraft navigation and landing. Achieving long-ranges and high-speed, most of all in outdoor applications with strong solar background illumination, are challenging requirements. In the introduction we review different 3D-ranging techniques (stereo-vision, projection with structured light, pulsed-LiDAR, amplitude-modulated continuous-wave LiDAR, frequency-modulated continuous-wave interferometry), illumination schemes (single point and blade scanning, flash-LiDAR) and time-resolved detectors for LiDAR (EM-CCD, I-CCD, APD, SPAD, SiPM). Then, we provide an extensive review of silicon- single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)-based LiDAR detectors (both commercial products and research prototypes) analyzing how each architecture faces the main challenges of LiDAR (i.e., long ranges, centimeter resolution, large field-of-view and high angular resolution, high operation speed, background immunity, eye-safety and multi-camera operation). Recent progresses in 3D stacking technologies provided an important step forward in SPAD array development, allowing to reach smaller pitch, higher pixel count and more complex processing electronics. In the conclusions, we provide some guidelines for the design of next generation SPAD-LiDAR detectors.


Author(s):  
Mike Bruce ◽  
Rama R. Goruganthu ◽  
Shawn McBride ◽  
David Bethke ◽  
J.M. Chin

Abstract For time resolved hot carrier emission from the backside, an alternate approach is demonstrated termed single point PICA. The single point approach records time resolved emission from an individual transistor using time-correlated-single-photon counting and an avalanche photo-diode. The avalanche photo-diode has a much higher quantum efficiency than micro-channel plate photo-multiplier tube based imaging cameras typically used in earlier approaches. The basic system is described and demonstrated from the backside on a ring oscillator circuit.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihan Sajeed ◽  
Thomas Jennewein

AbstractQuantum channels in free-space, an essential prerequisite for fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and quantum technologies in open space, have so far been based on direct line-of-sight because the predominant approaches for photon-encoding, including polarization and spatial modes, are not compatible with randomly scattered photons. Here we demonstrate a novel approach to transfer and recover quantum coherence from scattered, non-line-of-sight photons analyzed in a multimode and imaging interferometer for time-bins, combined with photon detection based on a 8 × 8 single-photon-detector-array. The observed time-bin visibility for scattered photons remained at a high 95% over a wide scattering angle range of −450 to +450, while the individual pixels in the detector array resolve or track an image in its field of view of ca. 0.5°. Using our method, we demonstrate the viability of two novel applications. Firstly, using scattered photons as an indirect channel for quantum communication thereby enabling non-line-of-sight quantum communication with background suppression, and secondly, using the combined arrival time and quantum coherence to enhance the contrast of low-light imaging and laser ranging under high background light. We believe our method will instigate new lines for research and development on applying photon coherence from scattered signals to quantum sensing, imaging, and communication in free-space environments.


Author(s):  
C. J. Rolls ◽  
W. ElMaraghy ◽  
H. ElMaraghy

Abstract Reverse engineering (RE), may be defined as the process of generating computer aided design models (CAD) from existing or prototype parts. The process has been used for many years in industry. It has markedly increased in implementation in the past few years, primarily due to the introduction of rapid part digitization technologies. Current industrial applications include CAD model construction from artisan geometry, such as in automotive body styling, the generation of custom fits to human surfaces, and quality control. This paper summarizes the principles of operation behind many commercially available part digitization technologies, and discusses techniques involved in part digitization using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and laser scanner. An overall error characterization of the laser scanning digitization process is presented for a particular scanner. This is followed by a discussion of the merits and considerations involved in generating combined data sets with characteristics indicative of the design intent of specific part features. Issues in facilitating the assembly, or registration, of the different types of data into a single point set are discussed.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (S2) ◽  
pp. 162-163
Author(s):  
EN Lewis ◽  
LH Kidder ◽  
KS Haber

Single point near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is used extensively for characterizing raw materials and finished products in a wide variety of industries: polymers, paper, film, pharmaceuticals, paintings and coatings, food and beverages, agricultural products. As advanced industrial materials become more complex, their functionality is often determined by the spatial distribution of their discrete sample constituents. However, conventional single point NIR spectroscopy cannot adequately probe the interrelationship between the spatial distribution of sample components with the physical properties of the sample. to fully characterize these samples, it is necessary to probe simultaneously spatial and chemical heterogeneity and correlate these properties with sample characteristics.Recently, we have developed a novel NIR imaging spectrometer that can deliver spatially resolved chemical information very rapidly. in contrast to conventional, single point NIR spectrometers, the imaging system uses an infrared focal-plane array (FPA) to collect up to 76,800 complete spectra, one for each pixel on the array, in approximately one minute.


Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 2678 ◽  
Author(s):  
João L. Lagarto ◽  
Caterina Credi ◽  
Federica Villa ◽  
Simone Tisa ◽  
Franco Zappa ◽  
...  

Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays are increasingly exploited and have demonstrated potential in biochemical and biomedical research, both for imaging and single-point spectroscopy applications. In this study, we explore the application of SPADs together with fiber-optic-based delivery and collection geometry to realize fast and simultaneous single-point time-, spectral-, and depth-resolved fluorescence measurements at 375 nm excitation light. Spectral information is encoded across the columns of the array through grating-based dispersion, while depth information is encoded across the rows thanks to a linear arrangement of probe collecting fibers. The initial characterization and validation were realized against layered fluorescent agarose-based phantoms. To verify the practicality and feasibility of this approach in biological specimens, we measured the fluorescence signature of formalin-fixed rabbit aorta samples derived from an animal model of atherosclerosis. The initial results demonstrate that this detection configuration can report fluorescence spectral and lifetime contrast originating at different depths within the specimens. We believe that our optical scheme, based on SPAD array detectors and fiber-optic probes, constitute a powerful and versatile approach for the deployment of multidimensional fluorescence spectroscopy in clinical applications where information from deeper tissue layers is important for diagnosis.


Author(s):  
Paolo Bosetti ◽  
Stefania Bruschi

One of the major drawbacks of single-point incremental forming process for sheet metal (SPIF) consists in the poor geometrical accuracy of formed parts. This limits the use of SPIF technology and has pushed the development of alternative incremental processes—such as the two-points incremental forming—aimed at improving the forming accuracy. However, these processes require the use of supporting dies and they therefore reduce the competitive advantage of SPIF process. The possibility to compensate for part springback, in order to have the part geometry as close as possible to the nominal one, represents one of the major challenges to make SPIF process suitable for real industrial applications. However, any possible approach in springback compensation must pass through the comprehension of the springback phenomenon. The objective of the paper is to analyze the springback of parts made by SPIF, by evaluating the influence that elastic recovery before and after the part unclamping has on the final part geometry. A SPIF experimental campaign was carried out on a truncated pyramid as case study, by varying both the part geometrical parameters (the wall angle and the height), and the process parameters (the tool step-down size and the feed rate). The material used in this study was the duplex steel DP600 provided in 0.8 mm thick sheets. After forming—but before unclamping—the part geometry was measured by means of of an electronic touch probe mounted on the machine tool-holder, in order to investigate the elastic recovery due to the successive tool laps. After unclamping, the part geometry was measured on a coordinate measuring machine. The influence of geometrical and process parameters was analyzed and the contribution of elastic recovery before and after the part unclamping was assessed.


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