Open AccessLong-range, high-precision, and high-speed absolute distance measurement based on alternately oscillating optoelectronic oscillators
Author(s) -
Tianyuan Xie,
Ju Wang,
Zixiong Wang,
Cheng Ma,
Yang Yu,
Jigui Zhu,
Jinlong Yu
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.021635
Subject(s) - optics , physics , oscillation (cell signaling) , accuracy and precision , range (aeronautics) , distance measurement , system of measurement , observational error , approximation error , materials science , computer science , mathematics , statistics , genetics , algorithm , quantum mechanics , astronomy , artificial intelligence , composite material , biology
We propose an absolute distance measurement method using alternately oscillating optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs) with high speed, high precision, and long range, and describe the dynamic characteristics of the measurement system. Measurement and reference OEOs are oscillated using a 2×2 optical switch, and rough and fine measurements are achieved by low- and high-order-mode oscillation. The distance is determined by the loop length difference between the two OEOs. OEO length control is not necessary, so the system is simple and the time per measurement is only 40 ms. The maximum measurement error is 3.4 µm with an emulated distance of 7.5 km, and the relative measurement accuracy reaches 4.5×10 -10 .