TDC Applications

Laser distance measurement

In most applications reflection mode is used. The distance between the measuring device and a reflector unit has to be determined. A laser beam is sent by the transmitter, then reflected and detected by the receiver. Transmitter and receiver are part of the measuring device.

For a simple arithmetic example we use our TDC502 providing a resolution of 65ps at 3,3V: The velocity of light is 300000km/s. In reflection mode the distance that light covers in 32,5ps is the resolution measured by the TDC502. This resolution is about 1cm only. When operating at 5V then the resolution of the TDC502 is 45ps which corresponds to amazing 0,7cm.