A Fast Calibration Method for Photonic Mixer Device Solid-State Array Lidars

Abstract

The photonic mixer device (PMD) solid-state array lidar, as a three-dimensional imaging technology, has attracted research attention in recent years because of its low cost, high frame rate, and high reliability. To address the disadvantages of traditional PMD solid-state array lidar calibration methods, including low calibration efficiency and accuracy, and serious human error factors, this paper first proposes a calibration method for an array complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor photodetector using a black-box calibration device and an electrical analog delay method; it then proposes a modular lens distortion correction method based on checkerboard calibration and pixel point adaptive interpolation optimization. Specifically, the ranging error source is analyzed based on the PMD solid-state array lidar imaging mechanism; the black-box calibration device is specifically designed for the calibration requirements of anti-ambient light and an echo reflection route; a dynamic distance simulation system integrating the laser emission unit, laser receiving unit, and delay control unit is designed to calibrate the photodetector echo demodulation; the checkerboard calibration method is used to correct external lens distortion in grayscale mode; and the pixel adaptive interpolation strategy is used to reduce distortion of distance images. Through analysis of the calibration process and results, the proposed method effectively reduces the calibration scene requirements and human factors, meets the needs of different users of the lens, and improves both calibration efficiency and measurement accuracy.

An Improved Calibration Method for Photonic Mixer Device Solid-State Array Lidars Based on Electrical Analog Delay

“…It can be obviously figured out that the proposed method has better performance on range accuracy compared with methods in [13,17,26]. Although the mean distance error shows no distinct improvement compared with method in [19], the proposed method has better Compared with the method in [42], the method proposed in this paper effectively reduced the error in the distance range of 0.5-5 m. Meanwhile, the adaptivity under different environments improved a lot. Table 4 gives the detailed performance comparison results of the two methods.…”

“…The test results are illustrated in Figure 14. Compared with the method in [42], the method proposed in this paper effectively reduced the error in the distance range of 0.5-5 m. Meanwhile, the adaptivity under different environments improved a lot. Table 4 gives the detailed performance comparison results of the two methods.…”

“…To deal with the abovementioned challenges, we [ 42 ] proposed a calibration method for PMD solid-state array Lidar based on a black-box calibration device and an electrical analog delay method in the previous work. The method solved part of the problems in traditional calibration methods, such as low efficiency, low accuracy and serious human disturbance.…”

“…The PMD Lidar is vulnerable to several factors such as internal non-uniformity of the ToF sensor, demodulation process, temperature drift, ambient light, etc. Some of the factors have been discussed in our previous work [ 42 ], which will not be mentioned in this paper. However, factors like integration time, temperature drift and DRNU still need to be considered.…”

The Self-Calibration Method for the Vertex Distance of the Elliptical Paraboloid Array

“…Sun et al [22] purposed a new array geometry calibration method for underwater compact arrays to improve the robustness and accuracy of the calibration results. Zhai et al [23] researched a calibration method for an array complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor photodetector using a black-box calibration device and an electrical analog delay method to address the disadvantages of traditional PMD (photonic mixer device) solid-state array lidar calibration methods. Through the above research, it can be concluded that the calibration of sensor arrays is helpful to improve their accuracy and practicability.…”