Accurate Range Sensor: Exploring Laser Reflection and Registration

In summary: Cheap laser range finders, (less than US$50), are available for distances up to about 100 metres. The Pythagoras mode requires a horizontal range to the foot of the wall, which is why they have a bubble level built in.Expensive laser range finders now have a two axis accelerometer so they can measure elevation angle. They do Pythagoras without a horizontal range to the wall.Included here on pages 10 and 11 are the Pythagoras mode instructions for cheap type.
  • #1
Blue Scallop
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17
What is the most accurate range finder have you come across? If the laser hit a surface that won't reflect.. would it still register?
 
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  • #2
What range of ranges ?
Range to what targets ?
 
  • #3
Baluncore said:
What range of ranges ?
Range to what targets ?

1 to 50 meters.
or 50 meters to 100 meters.
What targets can't reflect back?
 
  • #4
Blue Scallop said:
What targets can't reflect back?
Some wavelength will always reflect back. Even a black body will get hot when you hit it with an IR laser.
An efficient diagonal “front surface mirror” would be a difficult target. You could not see it to get a correct range. But you could fire a pellet of reflective paint along the boreline, then get a correct range on the mirror surface.
 
  • #5
Blue Scallop said:
1 to 50 meters.
or 50 meters to 100 meters.
Those are two very different dynamic ranges. 50:1 is harder to deal with than 2:1...

What is the application? What resolution do you want to achieve? And as aked already, what kind of targets do you want the range to? People? Walls? Vehicles?
 
  • #6
berkeman said:
Those are two very different dynamic ranges. 50:1 is harder to deal with than 2:1...

What do you mean 2:1.. 2 meters range only?

What is the application? What resolution do you want to achieve? And as aked already, what kind of targets do you want the range to? People? Walls? Vehicles?

Buildings to measure property & signboards extensions. Do you know of ranger finder where you can aim it at an angle up to a building and it can give you the distance by taking account the angle? Because sometimes there is no horizontal object to aim like upper signs and billboards.
 
  • #7
Blue Scallop said:
What do you mean 2:1.. 2 meters range only?
LOL, no. dynamic range means max divided by minimum. That goes directly into the accuracy calculations that you should be doing.
Blue Scallop said:
Buildings to measure property & signboards extensions. Do you know of ranger finder where you can aim it at an angle up to a building and it can give you the distance by taking account the angle? Because sometimes there is no horizontal object to aim like upper signs and billboards.
If you can't get a reliable reflection (of light, radar, ultrasound, etc.), then your next best technique is probably optical
triangulation. Have you looked into optical triangulation yet? It is commonly used in animal hunting range finding applications, for example...
 
  • #8
Like this...

http://www.bowhunter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/3/files/new-rangefinders-for-2013/01_bushnell.jpg
01_bushnell.jpg
 
  • #9
Cheap laser range finders, (less than US$50), are available for distances up to about 100 metres. The Pythagoras mode requires a horizontal range to the foot of the wall, which is why they have a bubble level built in.

Expensive laser range finders now have a two axis accelerometer so they can measure elevation angle. They do Pythagoras without a horizontal range to the wall.

Included here on pages 10 and 11 are the Pythagoras mode instructions for cheap type.
http://www.spoton.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Powerline-PLM70-Instruction-Manual.pdf
 
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FAQ: Accurate Range Sensor: Exploring Laser Reflection and Registration

Q: What is an accurate range sensor?

An accurate range sensor is a device used to measure distances between objects and surfaces with a high level of precision. It uses various technologies, such as lasers, to accurately determine the distance between the sensor and the object being measured.

Q: How does a range sensor use laser reflection to measure distance?

A range sensor emits a laser beam towards an object and measures the time it takes for the beam to reflect back to the sensor. This time is then used to calculate the distance based on the speed of light.

Q: What is laser registration in the context of range sensors?

Laser registration is the process of aligning the laser beam with the sensor's field of view. This ensures that the laser is accurately measuring the distance to the desired object or surface.

Q: What are the main applications of accurate range sensors?

Accurate range sensors have a wide range of applications, including robotics, object detection and tracking, 3D scanning, and industrial automation. They are also used in safety systems, such as collision avoidance and distance warning systems.

Q: How can I ensure the accuracy of a range sensor?

To ensure the accuracy of a range sensor, it is important to calibrate it regularly. This involves checking and adjusting the alignment of the laser, as well as verifying the accuracy of the distance measurements. It is also important to use the sensor in appropriate environments and follow the manufacturer's instructions for optimal performance.

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