Remote, Displacement Measurement Using A
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
REMOTE, DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT USING A MODULATED LASER SYSTEM by G. M. S. JOYNES A thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Surrey August 1973 ProQuest Number: 10800195 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10800195 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 ABSTRACT A study has been made of the principles involved in displacement measurement using optical methods, with particular emphasis on intensity - modulated laser beam techniques. Some of the compromises in performance possible in differing situations are discussed. Previous research has dealt with an approach using coherent optical interference. The two methods are compared theoretically, and it is shown that certain advantages are possessed by the Modulated Beam technique. An important component in the system discussed is the Intensity Modulator. Methods of electro-optic modulation have been studied, and a modulator using Lithium. Niobate has been designed and built. It requires low modulation voltages, operates in the v.h.f. region, and has the important advantage over similar modulators in that it is completely insensitive to temperature. A theoretical analysis has been carried out on the design of a modulated optical carrier system, which includes a novel approach to the measurement of displacement and distance. Experimental measurements and results from a practical system, using an external target at 60 metres range, are described and shown to compare sat isfactorily with theoretical predictions. A C K N 0 W L E D G E M E N T S Thanks are due to Professor D. R. Chick, Head of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Surrey, for his support and encouragement during my period of research. I should particularly like to thank Mr. Q. V. Davis, my Supervisor, for his encouragement and guidance during the course of my work. My thanks are also extended to him for his useful advice relating to the preparation of this thesis. I wish to acknowledge also the help given by other members of staff, especially Mr. M. S. Hodgart. My thanks are extended to Mr. F. Keitch and the Workshop staff, Mr. P. Simms, and Mr. R. Haining, for their work in constructing various pieces of equipment used in the experiments. I gratefully acknowledge the willing assistance of Miss J. Jones, who undertook the task of typing this thesis. Financial support for this project was provided by the Science Research Council. CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION, SUMMARY, and CONCLUSIONS 13 1.1 Introduction 13 1 .2 Summary 15 1.3 Conclusions 18 1.3.1 Modulated Optical Carrier Technique 18 1.3.2 The Frequency Lock Loop System 20 1.3.2.1 Improvements in Performance 20 1.3.2.2 Applications 21 1.3.3 Summary 22 2.0 , GENERAL REVIEW OF DISTANCE MEASURING TECHNIQUES 23 2.1 Establishing the Velocity of Light 23 2.1.1 Introduction 23 2.1.2 Brief Chronological Review ^3 2.2 Distance and Displacement Measurement by E-M Waves 27 2.2.1 Introduction 27 2.2.2 The Geodimeter 27 2.2.3 The Tellurometer 2s 2.2.4- Microwave Mekometer 29 2.2.5 The Decca Oscillation Measurement: System (Deccom) 30 2.2.6 Two Laser Distance Measuring Instrument 32 2.2.7 Spectre Physics Geodolite 33 2.2.8 Laser Profilometer 35 2.2.9 FM-CW Laser Range Measurement , 35 2.2.10' Double Frequency Interferometer 36 2.2.11 Optical Ranging in the Soviet Union 36 2.2.12 Pulsed Laser Radars 38 2.2.12.-1 Introduction 38 2.2.12.2; Apollo 11 Retrorefleetor Experiment 38 2.2.12.3 Laser Alrimeters 39 2.2.12.4- Aircraft Ranging 39 2.3 The Present Approach to the Determination of the ^0 Velocity of Light. - 2.4 Discussion 4-1 2.4.1 Introduction 41 2.4.2 Techniques using Modulation of Light 42 2.4.3 Pulsed Optical Systems 44 2.4.4 General Points 44 3.0 THEORY AND DESIGN 45 3.1 Measurement using Optical Techniques 45 3.1.1 Optical Interference Techniques 45 3.1.2 Intensity Modulated Optical Carrier Techniques 45 3.1.3 Choice of Technique 46 3.2 Modulated Carrier System 47 3.2.1 Relative Advantages of Measuring Doppler 47 or Phase Shift on the Modulation. 3.2.2 Limits on Resolution due to Signal Frequency 51 Instability 3.2.3 Phase Detection Systems 53 3.2.3.1 Introduction 53 3.2.3.2 System using a Standard Phase Detector 53 3.2.3.3 Closed Loop Systems 55 3.2.3.4 Delay Lock Loop 55 3.2.3.5 Frequency Lock Loop 55 3.2.4 Comparison of Three Methods of Detection 56 3.3 Frequency Lock Loop System 57 3.3.1 System Response 57 3.3.2 Measurement of Range 60 3.3.2.1 By Phase Reversal • 60 3.3.2.2 By Selection of Locking Frequencies 61 3.3.3 Conversion of System from 1st to 2nd Order 61 3.3.3.1' Using Lag-lead Filter 61 3.3.3.2 Using Low-pass Filter 62 3.3.4 Determination of Open Loop Gain 63 3.3.5 Transient Response 63 3.3.6 Frequency Response 64 3.3.7 Trading Off Eandwidth and Risetime with Loop Gain 64 3.3.8 ; Pre-Detector Limiting and AGC. 68 3.3.9 The Effect of Using the Linearising Approximation 69 3.3.10 Output Format for Data 69 3.3.11 Overall System Design 70 3.4 Optical System Design 70 3.4.1 System Interrelations 70 3.4.2 Choice of Light Source and Method of Modulation 71 3.4.3 Divergence of Collinated Beam 72 3.4.4 The Effect of Target Attitude 72 3.4.5 Target Spot Diameter 75 3.4.6 Propagation of Laser Beam through E-0 Modulator 75 Crystal 3.4.7 Matching using Gaussian Optics 75 3.4.8 Laser-Modulator Section 76 3.4.9 Modulator-Target Section 80 3.4.10 Target-Receiver Section 81 3.5 Effect of Target Surface 81 3.5.1 Introduction 81 3.5.2 Signal Received from Concrete Target 82 3.5.3 Signal Received from Scotchlite Target 82 3.6 Calculations of Receiver Signal and Noise Components 84 3.6.1 The Optical Channel 84 3.6.2 Types of Photodetector 87 3.6 .2.1 Photomultiplier 87 3.6.2.2 Junction Photodiode 88 3.6.2.3 Avalanche Photodiode 88 3.6.3 Tangential Sensitivity 89 3.7 Theoretical Analysis of Receiver Signal - Noise Ratio 90 3.7.1 Procedure 90 3.7.2 Tangential Sensitivity Graphs 93 3.7.3 Discussion 97 3.8 The Factors Determining the Velocity of Light in Air .98 3.9 Limiting Precision of the Modulated Optical System 100 4.0 ELECTRO-OPTIC LIGHT MODULATOR 101 4.1 Introduction 101 4.2 Types of Modulator 101 4.2.1 Main Physical Phenomena 101 4.2.2 Faraday Effect 102 4.2.3 Stark Effect 102 4.2.4 Kerr Effect 102 4.2.5 Pockels Effect 103 4.2.6 Other Methods of Modulation 104 4.3 Choice of Modulator Crystal 104 4.3.1 Specification 104 4.3.2 Comparison of KDP Isomorphs and the Perovskites 105 4.3.3 Performance Figure 107 4.3.3.1 Lumped Circuit 107 4.3.3.2 Travelling Wave 3-07 4.4 The Linear Electro-Optic Effect 109 4.4.1 Theory 109 4.4.2 Temperature Dependence 112 4.5 Intensity Modulation 113 4.5.1 Methods 113 4.5.2 Extinction Ratio 114 4.5.3 Harmonic Distortion for Sinusoidal Intensity 116 Modulation 4.5.4 Measurement of Modulation Depth 118 4.5.5 Signal-Noise Ratio for the Two Configurations 120 4.6 High Frequency Modulation 121 4.7 Methods of Driving Modulator 124 4.8 Modulator Crystal Specification 3.24 4.8.1 Cross Section 124 4.8.2 Length-to-Width Ratio 3 24 4.8.3 Half-Wave Voltage - 125 4.8.4 Capacitance 125 4.8.5 Accuracy of Alignment of x^-axis 125 4.8.6 Acceptance Angle for Rays 127 4.3.7 Flatness and Parallelism of End Faces 127 4.9 Construction of Modulator Mount 128 4.9.1 General Points 128 4.9.2 The Mount 128 4.9.3 Dummy Run 131 4.9.4 Mounting Procedure 131 4.9.5 Details of Subsequent Mount 132 4.10 Test Results 134 4.10.1 Temperature Dependence 3.34 4.10.2 Admittance Measurements 134 4.3 0.3 Modulation Depth 134 4.11 Summary and Conclusions 136 5.0 EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS, FREQUENCY LOCK LOOP SYSTEM 138 5.1 Development of Practical System 13b 5.1.1 Introduction 138 5.1.2 Low Frequency Modulation'of Signal 138 5.1.3 Junction FET Phase Detector 138 5.1.4 Improvements in Transmitter-Receiver Isolation 139 5.2 Measurements of Open Loop Transfer Function 142 5.2.1 Introduction 142 5.2.2 VCO - Synchronous Demodulator Section 142 5.2.3 Lag-Lead Filter 142 5.2.4 Integrator 143 5.3 Measurement of Optical Modulation Depth 143 5.4 Typical Signal-Noise Ratio Measurements 143 5.5 Comparison of Predicted and Measured Signal-Noise 144 Ratio 5.6 Estimation of Electronic Delays in the Loop Electronics 146 5.6.1 Summary 146 5.6.2 PMT Delay 146 5.6.3 Transistor Stage Delays 146 5.7 Static Performance of Loop 147 5.7.1 Target Displacement over 3 m, at 56.6 m Range 147 5.7.2 Measurement of Range 149 5.7.3 Tangential Sensitivity for Scotchlite Target 149 5.7.4 The Effect of Rain in the Propagation Path 151 5.8 Dynamic Performance of Loop 151 5.8.1 Tracking of Target Movement 151 5.8.2 Frequency Response 153 5.8.3 Transient Response 153 5.8 .3.1 Method of Measurement 153 5.8 .3.2 Results 156 5.8.4 Trading Off Response Time with Bandwidth 158 5.9 Attenuation of Beam by Target 158 5.9.1 Scotchlite Target 158 5.9.2 Brick Target 158 5.10 Comparison of Polarization versus Intensity Modulation 159 5.10.1 Depolarization by Scotchlite and Brick Targets 159 5.10.2 Reduction in Signal due to Depolarization 159 REFERENCES 161 APPENDICES Page A1 ' COMPARISON OF THE DECCA COHERENT SYSTEM (DECCOM) 171 WITH THE MODULATED CARRIER SYSTEM Al.l Introduction 171 A1.2 Basic Difference between the Two Systems of Detection 171 A1.3 Comparison of Signal-Noise Ratio 172 Al.3.1 The Deccom 172 Al.3.2 Modulated Laser System 174 Al.3.3 Comparison of Signal-Noise Ratio 175 A1.4 Effect of Non-Specularly Reflecting Target, and 175 Coherence Loss.