Object detection system using SPAD proximity detectors

Laurence Stark; Jeffrey M. Raynor; Robert K. Henderson

doi:10.1117/12.896860

22 September 2011 Object detection system using SPAD proximity detectors

Laurence Stark, Jeffrey M. Raynor, Robert K. Henderson

Proceedings Volume 8167, Optical Design and Engineering IV; 81672A (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.896860
Event: SPIE Optical Systems Design, 2011, Marseille, France

Abstract

This paper presents an object detection system based upon the use of multiple single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) proximity sensors operating upon the time-of-flight (ToF) principle, whereby the co-ordinates of a target object in a coordinate system relative to the assembly are calculated. The system is similar to a touch screen system in form and operation except that the lack of requirement of a physical sensing surface provides a novel advantage over most existing touch screen technologies. The sensors are controlled by FPGA-based firmware and each proximity sensor in the system measures the range from the sensor to the target object. A software algorithm is implemented to calculate the x-y coordinates of the target object based on the distance measurements from at least two separate sensors and the known relative positions of these sensors. Existing proximity sensors were capable of determining the distance to an object with centimetric accuracy and were modified to obtain a wide field of view in the x-y axes with low beam angle in z in order to provide a detection area as large as possible. Design and implementation of the firmware, electronic hardware, mechanics and optics are covered in the paper. Possible future work would include characterisation with alternative designs of proximity sensors, as this is the component which determines the highest achievable accur1acy of the system.

Citation Download Citation

Laurence Stark, Jeffrey M. Raynor, and Robert K. Henderson "Object detection system using SPAD proximity detectors", Proc. SPIE 8167, Optical Design and Engineering IV, 81672A (22 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.896860

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