Process for measuring distance with adaptive amplification
First Claim
1. A process for determining the distance between a distance sensor and an object, wherein an analog input signal is directed to a transmitter of the distance sensor, the transmitter emits a wave that is reflected by the object, a receiver of the distance sensor receives the reflected wave and thereupon emits an analog output signal whose level depends on the distance and/or the type of the object, the output signal is amplified by a subsequently added amplifier, the amplified signal is directed to an analog/digital converter and is converted by same into a digital signal, and the digital signal for computing a distance value is directed to an evaluation circuit, characterized by the steps of controlling the signal amplification of the amplifier in an adaptive manner depending on one of the level of the output signal and the signal value of an amplification command signal made available by the evaluation circuit, which is characteristic of an expected distance range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for determining the distance between a distance sensor and an object, wherein an analog input signal is directed to a transmitter of the distance sensor. The transmitter emits a wave which is reflected by the object. A receiver of the distance sensor receives the reflected wave and thereupon emits an analog output signal whose level is dependent upon the distance and/or the type of object. The output signal is amplified by a subsequently added amplifier. The amplifier signal is directed to an analog/digital converter and is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is directed to an evaluation circuit for the computation of a distance value. The signal amplification of the amplifier is controlled in an adaptively dependent manner on the level of the output signal and/or in a manner dependent on the signal value of an amplification signal made available by the evaluation circuit which is characteristic of an anticipated distance range.
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Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A process for determining the distance between a distance sensor and an object, wherein an analog input signal is directed to a transmitter of the distance sensor, the transmitter emits a wave that is reflected by the object, a receiver of the distance sensor receives the reflected wave and thereupon emits an analog output signal whose level depends on the distance and/or the type of the object, the output signal is amplified by a subsequently added amplifier, the amplified signal is directed to an analog/digital converter and is converted by same into a digital signal, and the digital signal for computing a distance value is directed to an evaluation circuit, characterized by the steps of controlling the signal amplification of the amplifier in an adaptive manner depending on one of the level of the output signal and the signal value of an amplification command signal made available by the evaluation circuit, which is characteristic of an expected distance range.
- 10. A device for determining a distance between a distance sensor and an object with a transmitter to which an analog input signal is directed and that emits a wave that is reflected by the object, a receiver that receives the reflected wave and subsequently emits an analog output signal whose level is dependent upon the distance and/or the type of the object, an amplifier that amplifies the output signal, an analog/digital converter that converts the amplified signal into a digital signal and an evaluation circuit to which the digital signal is directed for the purpose of computing the distance values, characterized in that the amplifier is an amplifier with a variable signal amplification and in that the signal amplification is regulated dependent upon the level of the output signal and/or dependent on the signal value of an amplification command signal made available by the evaluation circuit, which is characteristic for an anticipated distance range.
Specification