Peak Count Correction Methods for a Distance Sensor Using Self-coupling Effect of Semiconductor Laser

Abstract

In this paper peak count correction methods for a self-coupling distance sensor with a Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) are reported on. The distance to the target in these distance sensors is usually calculated by determining the frequency of power fluctuations that are produced by the self-coupling effect. In this study it is proposed that the peak count correction method using statistical feature with little computational effort than Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and higher accuracy than traditional peak count methods. The counting error is reduced to less than 1/100 with the peak count correction methods under adverse condition.