Omnidirectional Sensor Design for Distributed Laser Measurement Systems

Abstract

Distributed laser measurement systems, widely used in high-end equipment such as airplanes, ships, and other manufacturing fields, face challenges in large spatial measurements due to laser plane obstructions and weak intersections. This paper introduces a novel omnidirectional sensor with enhanced adaptability to complex environments and improved measurement accuracy. Initially, an integrated omnidirectional measurement model is established, followed by the analysis of the optical path of the front-end detector, and the design of a signal-conditioning circuit for the photoelectric conversion of the front-end laser signal, Subsequently, a circuit testing platform is established to validate the detection functionality, and the corresponding results indicate that the symmetry of the output waveform is under 10 ns, the response time is under 100 ns, and the maximum detection distance is 22 m. Further, experimental results demonstrate the superiority of omnidirectional sensors over planar ones in complex environments, successfully receiving 360° laser signals. The positional accuracy of the common point to be measured on the top of the omnidirectional sensor is confirmed to exceed 0.05 mm, and the accuracy of the angle of attitude exceeds 0.04°. Using the laser tracker, the measurement accuracy of the system is verified to be better than 0.3 mm. When rotating in the horizontal and pitch directions, the measurement accuracy is better than 0.35 mm and 0.47 mm, respectively, fulfilling the sub-millimeter precision requirement and expanding the application scope of distributed laser measurement systems.