Sub-pixel micro scanning for improved spatial resolution using single-photon LiDAR

Ewan Wade; Rachael Tobin; Aongus McCarthy; Gerald S. Buller

doi:10.1117/12.2588766

19 April 2021 Sub-pixel micro scanning for improved spatial resolution using single-photon LiDAR

Ewan Wade, Rachael Tobin, Aongus McCarthy, Gerald S. Buller

Proceedings Volume 11721, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques XV; 1172106 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2588766
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2021, Online Only

Abstract

We present a method of improving the spatial resolution of a single-photon counting light detection and ranging system using a sub-pixel micro-scanning approach. The time-correlated single-photon counting technique was used to measure photon time-of-flight from remote objects. The high-sensitivity and picosecond timing resolution of this approach allows for high-resolution depth and intensity information to be obtained from targets with very low average optical power levels. The system comprised a picosecond pulsed laser source operated at a wavelength of 1550 nm and a 32 × 32 InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diode detector array. The detector array was translated along two orthogonal axes in the image plane of the receive channel objective lens using two computer-controlled motorized translation stages. This allowed for sub-pixel scanning, resulting in a composite image of the scene with improved spatial resolution. This paper presents preliminary measurements of depth and intensity profiles taken at stand-off distances of approximately 2.5 meters in laboratory conditions using average optical power levels in the micro-watt regime. A standard test chart was used to evaluate the resolving power of the system for both standard and micro-scanned images to assess performance improvements in spatial resolution. Depth profiles of targets were also obtained to investigate improvements in resolving small details and the quality of target edges.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Ewan Wade, Rachael Tobin, Aongus McCarthy, and Gerald S. Buller "Sub-pixel micro scanning for improved spatial resolution using single-photon LiDAR", Proc. SPIE 11721, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques XV, 1172106 (19 April 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2588766

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