A laser rangefinder is a device that utilizes laser light for ranging and illumination. Its inception almost coincided with the advent of lasers, with its earliest development occurring in the United States. It performs precise distance measurement of targets through the steps of emitting laser light, receiving echoes, and signal processing.

1. Operating Principle

The principle of the laser rangefinder is Time-of-Flight (ToF), which is a measurement method that calculates the time required for light to travel a certain distance through a medium. The basic principle is to record the moment of emitting the light pulse as the zero point and the moment of recording the scattered light echo as the end point. The difference between the two gives the round-trip time of light, which can further be used to obtain the distance result based on the speed of light. It follows the following formula:

l=c*t/2

Where l is the distance of the target to be measured, c is the speed of light, and t is the round-trip time of the light beam.

2. Application Examples

Products based on the Time-of-Flight (ToF) principle are currently being applied in various industries and their related products. If we return to the rangefinder, we will find that it possesses superior distance detection capabilities. Users can measure targets several kilometers or even tens of kilometers away. This is very suitable for use on aircraft or other spacecraft. Users can accurately locate targets with this technology. Moreover, because pulsed rangefinders often emit non-visible light with a wavelength of 1064nm, targets are often difficult to detect, which protects the user’s concealment and provides strong support.

3. Proposal for Laser Rangefinder

A complete set of laser rangefinder comprises the following components: a laser generator, a cooling system, an optical system, a power supply, and a control system. For common 1064nm wavelength rangefinders, the laser generator adopts a diode-pumped solid-state laser scheme, achieving laser output through side-pumped Nd:YAG crystals or end-pumped Nd:YAG crystals. To detect at longer distances, a higher-power pump source and a more complex structural design are required at the design stage. Beijing RealLight Technology Co.,Ltd. has independently developed various packaged forms of diode laser stack, which can meet various design requirements for end-pumped or side-pumped rangefinders; with a maximum single bar power of 200W, it helps the system achieve longer detection distances.

Since its establishment in 2011, Beijing RealLight Technology Co.,Ltd. has been dedicated to the research, development, production, and sales of diode  lasers. Our company has launched various forms of diode laser stacked, including the GS series, AA series, and PA series. These lasers offer flexible parameters and high cost-effectiveness. We also accept customization for more types of lasers to meet diverse design needs of our customers.

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