Effect of signal quantum shot noise on the jitter of leading edge detected and high-pass discriminated laser pulse signals

Abstract

Effects of signal quantum shot noise on the jitter properties of laser pulses detected by a typical time-of-flight laser radar receiver channel configuration have been studied. Simulation and measurement results show that the optimal leading edge detection level in a typical industrial measurement situation with a PIN-diode detector is at the maximum point of the timing pulse slew rate. For avalanche photodiodes (APD) at the same signal to noise ratio, defined at the input of the preamplifier, the optimum detection level is lower due to the effect of signal quantum shot noise. In high-pass discrimination the optimum timing discrimination time constant is higher with an APD receiver than with a PIN-diode receiver due to signal quantum shot noise. In addition, it was noted that the optimum APD gain from the jitter point of view is less than the maximum gain in certain measurement situations.