Research on Fiber-Optic Optical Coherence Ranging System Based on Laser Frequency Scanning Interferometry

Abstract

In this paper, a system for absolute distance measurement is proposed based on laser frequency scanning interferometry (FSI). The system utilizes a digitally tunable laser as the light source and employs synchronized pulses to drive an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for interference signal acquisition. The frequency domain demodulation for absolute distance measurement is achieved through a three-spectrum line interpolation method based on the Hanning window. The system takes advantage of the spatial filtering characteristics of a single-mode optical fiber and the diffuse reflection properties of light to achieve a high integration of the prism system that forms the interference optical path. The resulting integrated fiber-optic probe is capable of measuring the distance to a non-cooperative target even when oriented at a certain angle with the target. We designed and fabricated a portable prototype. Experimental validation demonstrated that the maximum measurement distance of the system is 73.51 mm with a standard deviation of less than 0.19 μm for optimal measurement results. Even when there is an offset angle, the system maintains good measurement repeatability.

Keywords

• frequency-scanning interferometry
• distance measurement
• Fourier transform
• spectrum calibration