Laser 3D imaging technology based on digital micromirror device and the performance analysis

Abstract

Current research on scannerless three dimensional imaging LiDAR mainly focus on the phase scannerless imaging LiDAR, the multiple-slit streak tube imaging lidar and the flash LiDAR. But there are the disadvantages, such as short detection range, the complicated structure of vacuum unit and lacking the grayscale images corresponding to the three kinds of LiDAR listed above. In this paper we develop a novel 3D imaging LiDAR that works in the way of pushbroom. It converts the time of flight (TOF) into the space with digital mirror device (DMD). When pulse arrives at the DMD, the micromirrors are shifting from a status to another. Because the TOFs of pulses hit on different targets are different, there will be the streak on the focal plane array (FPA) of the sensor, which shows the relative position. The relative position of the streak can be used to reconstruct the range profile of the target. Compared with other three dimensional imaging method, this new method has the advantages of high rate imaging, large field of view, simple structure and small size. First, this article introduces the theory of digital micromirror laser 3D imaging LiDAR, and then it analyses the technical indicator of the core component. At last, it gives the process of computing the detection range, theoretically demonstrating the feasibility of this technology.