ASTECH LDS10A, User Manual, Page: 21 / 36

LDS10A Manual Start-up and measurement principle
ASTECH GmbH Page 21
Saturation Compensation
The algorithm classifies the detected pulses based on their shape. The LDS10A
determines which pulses are saturated and which have a normal shape.
Saturated pulse occurs when the signal backscattered by the object is so
strong that the full-waveform signal is clipped. If not treated, this
phenomenon creates an important degradation of the distance measurement
accuracy. It is why a saturation compensation algorithm is executed when
saturated pulses are detected. This innovative algorithm uses a sophisticated
approach to provide distance measurement accuracy better than 10 cm even
with a strongly clipped signal.
Temperature Compensation
The signal processing algorithm also embeds an advanced temperature
compensation scheme which attenuates the distance measurement drift over
large and sudden sensor temperature changes. With this algorithm, the
distance measurements stabilize inside 1 cm in less than 10 seconds on cold
sensor startup. The temperature compensation also ensures optimal accuracy
over the full operating temperature range.
Smoothing
The smoothing algorithm reduces the distance measurement jitter. It can be
seen as a recursive average filter which continuously adapts its cutoff
frequency (or averaging history length) as a function of the current
measurement noise. This innovative algorithm increases the precision of the
device (decreases the standard deviation of the measurements). The level of
smoothing of the algorithm can be adjusted to fit the requirements of the user
applications, please see section7 for more details.
Automatic LED intensity control
The automatic LED intensity control adjusts the intensity of the LEDs in real
time in order to maintain optimal pulse magnitudes at all times. For instance,
if pulses become suddenly saturated, the sensor will decrease automatically
the intensity of the LEDs to a level that ensures optimal distance measurement
accuracy.