Highly precise AMCW time-of-flight scanning sensor based on parallel-phase demodulation

A novel amplitude-modulated continuous wave (AMCW) time-of-flight (ToF) scanning sensor based on parallel-phase demodulation is proposed and demonstrated. Contrast to the conventional AMCW ToF which utilizes serial-phase demodulation, processes each different phase shift independently in parallel manner, so that can maintain high contrast short total integration time. Based these characteristics of platform be implemented with 2D laser system a single photodetector, maintaining moderate frame rate, optical SNR, very pixel resolution. In validating demonstration, shows extremely low measured distance noise per reference 0.056 % at 1.50 m only 30 mW illumination power. Additionally, FHD scale (1920 × 1080) highly precise 3D depth map 800 nsec time achieved using sensor.