Compensation of Frequency Drift in Frequency-Sweep Polarization-Modulation Ranging System

Abstract

In frequency-sweep polarization-modulation ranging, distance is determined by the frequency of modulated waves and the corresponding wavelength multiple when emitted and returned waves are in phase. However, measurement of the frequency and the wavelength multiple is affected by thermally induced phase delay of the polarized wave. In this article we systematically discuss the principle of the ranging method and analyze the influences of thermally induced phase delay. New approaches to measurement are proposed to eliminate the impact on frequency and the wavelength multiple. Theoretical analysis and experimental results proved the efficiency and applicability of the methods.

Keywords

• absolute distance measurement
• frequency-sweep polarization-modulation ranging
• frequency drift
• error compensation