US 11,709,268 B1
Method of multi-phase correlations vector synthesis ranging by fractional correlation
Chun Soo Park, Seoul (KR)
Filed by Chun Soo Park, Seoul (KR)
Filed on Nov. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/994,756.
Int. Cl. G01C 3/08 (2006.01); G01S 17/36 (2006.01); G01S 7/4913 (2020.01); G01S 7/4915 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 17/36 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4913 (2013.01); G01S 7/4915 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for measuring a distance between a transmitter and an object based on a phase delay between a transmitting signal and a reflected and received signal by a receiver in N-phase correlations time-of-flight (ToF) ranging, where the receiver includes an N-phase correlation vector controller, a correlator array, a zero-force synthesizer, and a signal processor, the N-phase correlation vector controller generating N delay-tap signals that control N-phase correlators in the correlator array, and each of the N-phase correlators performing an integration by accumulating photons in image sensor pixels of the receiver, where N is an odd number greater than or equal to 3, the method comprising:
(a) setting, by the N-phase correlation vector controller of the receiver, an integration start time of each of the N-phase correlators, at which time the N-phase correlators start to accumulate photons in the image sensor pixels, where the integration start time of each of the N-phase correlators is sequentially and equally time delayed by one period of the transmitting signal divided by N;
(b) adjusting, by the N-phase correlation vector controller of the receiver, an integration time of the N-phase correlators, during which time the N-phase correlators accumulate the photons in the image sensor pixels, from one transmitting signal period to

OG Complex Work Unit Math
of the one transmitting signal period;
(c) obtaining, by the N-phase correlators of the receiver, N correlation vectors over one or more periods of the transmitting signal, where each of the N correlation vectors is sequentially and equally time delayed by one period of the transmitting signal divided by N;
(d) synthesizing by the zero-force synthesizer of the receiver, two-phase orthogonal signals from the N correlation vectors, where the zero-force synthesizer uses pre-determined synthesis coefficients; and
(e) determining by the signal processor of the receiver, the phase delay or the distance from the two-phase orthogonal signals.