Design of a time-of-flight range-finder

Described is the extension of an ongoing research project to build a pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser radar device for use in measuring moderately close objects. Although laser based range-finders do not represent a new area of research, they provide an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to enter the area of optoelectronic and electronic system design. In this paper, the authors show how such a project can be realized by presenting technical and nontechnical obstacles that are specifically related to design in the context of an educational experience. This electrical engineering senior design project allows a team of two students to develop useful teamwork skills in addition to providing a rewarding design and research experience. The goals of the project are to design, build and test a pulsed transmitter optoelectronic receiver, and time to voltage converter (TVC). The final system will be a single standalone device designed for both technical and nontechnical users. The authors have targeted an observance distance in the 15 to 75 meter range. Their system uses a laser pulse´s round trip time of flight to determine the distance a target is away from the observer. The system will be portable and temperature compensated for operation between 50/spl deg/F and 80/spl deg/F. This device is designed for application in the recreational bow-hunting area.