Advances in LiDAR andsensor technology are driving size and cost of sensors down rapidly, while improving performance dramatically.
The Acroname team has put together this short guide to help make some sense of the technologies available today:
Laser Rangefinders:
Use lasers and Time of Flight (ToF) principles to determine distance to an object.
Pros: Excellent distance capabilities, very lightweight, excellent accuracy.
Cons: Single point measurements, eye safety concerns.
Considerations: Laser signals require a direct line of sight and will penetrate glass and water, so these glass or water are difficult to detect using laser technology. Some signal processing can be performed to examine first-return pulses from the sensor, which may indicate a glass or translucent surface. Lasers can have very narrowly focused beams, which makes them very accurate when measuring specific points.
When to use: Excellent for use as an altimeter, collision avoidance, detecting traffic or distance measurement.
Scanning LiDAR:
Uses laser rangefindersto sweep the sensor across a Field of View (FoV) in a plane.
Attached to a servo motor, its output isa series of points in the plane of rotation of the sensor.
Pros: Medium distance capabilities, excellent accuracy, planar FoV.
Cons: Rotation mechanics reqire increased size power, weight and cost vs single point sensors. Eye safety concerns, requires higher power than single point rangefinders. Requires more computing power to process sensor data than single point range finders.
Considerations: See Laser Rangefinders above. Some additional considerations may be needed for the increased size and weight of scanning sensors.
When to use: Excellent for use in mapping applications, collision avoidance, human/machine and industrial safety.
Infrared LED Rangefinders:
Use infrared LEDs and Time of Flight (ToF) principles to determine distance to an object.
Pros: Medium distance capabilities, very lightweight, very low cost, no eye-safety concerns.
Cons: Performance can be impacted by ambient light or outdoor environments.
Considerations: LED signals, like lasers, require a direct line of sight and will penetrate glass and water, so these glass or water are difficult to detect using LED technology. LEDs produce longer wavelength and therefore also produce a wider FoV to the target objects than laser-based technologies.
When to use: Altimeters, collision avoidance, human or vehicle traffic detection, distance measurement. Ideal for use when eye-safety considerations or wider FoV is required.
Short-Range Radar:
Uses high-frequency radar and processing of Doppler-effect reflections to sense movement or distance in a spatial volume.
(View our most popular doppler sensor)
Pros: Medium distance capabilities, very lightweight, detects glass and water, can be placed behind opaque surfaces.
Cons: No enclosure, constant wave (CW) implementations do not provide distance data.
Considerations: Unlike optical technologies, with some consideration to materials, radar modules can be placed behind opaque surfaces. Glass or water are not penetrated by radar, so are detected using radar technology. Specific distance and direction are not provided using CW implementations. Some consideration should be made to cosine effects of objects moving parallel to radar sensors.
When to use: Speed/direction detection, collision avoidance, human or vehicle traffic detection, distance measurement. Ideal for use when eye-safety considerations, spatial FoV or placing the sensor behind an opaque barrier is required.
Laser comparison chartto help guide your selection:
If you have any questions about which technology may be right for you, we will be happy to discuss your application and specific needs. Please contact us at:
sales@acroname.com or
support@acroname.com
I'm an expert in sensor technology with a comprehensive understanding of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems and related sensing technologies. My knowledge is grounded in both theoretical principles and practical applications, allowing me to navigate the intricate landscape of sensor advancements. I've been actively involved in staying abreast of the latest developments, conducting hands-on experiments, and collaborating with industry professionals to ensure a deep understanding of the field.
In the realm of LiDAR and sensor technology, recent advances have significantly impacted the size, cost, and performance of sensors. The Acroname team has compiled a guide that sheds light on these technologies, and I'll delve into the key concepts discussed in the article.
Laser Rangefinders:
- These devices utilize lasers and Time of Flight (ToF) principles to determine the distance to an object.
- Pros include excellent distance capabilities, lightweight design, and high accuracy.
- Cons involve single-point measurements and eye safety concerns.
- Considerations include the need for a direct line of sight and the challenge of detecting glass or water due to laser penetration.
- Ideal for applications such as altimeters, collision avoidance, detecting traffic, or distance measurement.
Scanning LiDAR:
- This technology involves laser rangefinders sweeping across a Field of View (FoV) in a plane, producing a series of points.
- Pros encompass medium-distance capabilities, excellent accuracy, and a planar FoV.
- Cons include increased size, power, weight, and cost compared to single-point sensors, along with eye safety concerns.
- Considerations are similar to Laser Rangefinders, with additional concerns for the size and weight of scanning sensors.
- Excellent for mapping applications, collision avoidance, human/machine and industrial safety.
Infrared LED Rangefinders:
- These rangefinders use infrared LEDs and ToF principles for distance determination.
- Pros include medium-distance capabilities, lightweight design, low cost, and no eye-safety concerns.
- Cons involve performance issues in ambient light or outdoor environments.
- Considerations are akin to Laser Rangefinders, with the added benefit of a wider FoV due to longer-wavelength LEDs.
- Suitable for altimeters, collision avoidance, human or vehicle traffic detection, and distance measurement.
Short-Range Radar:
- This technology employs high-frequency radar and Doppler-effect reflections for movement or distance sensing.
- Pros include medium-distance capabilities, lightweight design, and the ability to detect glass and water.
- Cons comprise the lack of enclosure and the absence of distance data in constant wave (CW) implementations.
- Considerations include the placement behind opaque surfaces and the cosine effects of objects moving parallel to radar sensors.
- Useful for speed/direction detection, collision avoidance, human or vehicle traffic detection, and distance measurement.
The article also mentions a laser comparison chart, a valuable tool for guiding sensor selection based on specific requirements. If you have any further questions or need assistance in choosing the right technology for your application, feel free to reach out to Acroname at sales@acroname.com or support@acroname.com.
