The goal of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems is to achieve high-resolution three-dimensional distance images with high refresh rates and long distances. In scanning LIDAR systems, an idle listening time between pulse transmission and reception is a significant obstacle to accomplishing this goal. We apply intensity-modulated direct detection (IM/DD) optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) using nonreturn-to-zero on-off keying to eliminate the idle listening time in scanning LIDAR systems. The transmitter records time information while emitting a coded laser pulse in the measurement angle derived from the pixel information as the measurement direction. The receiver extracts and decodes the reflected laser pulses and estimates the distance to the target using time-of-flight until the pulse is received after being transmitted. Also, we rely on a series of pulses and eliminate alien pulses via several detection decision steps to enhance the robustness of the decision result. We built a prototype system and evaluated its performance by measuring black matte and white paper walls and assessing object detection by measuring a watering can in front of the black matte paper wall. This LIDAR system eliminated both shot and background noises in the reception process and measured greater distances with improvements in accuracy and precision.
Keywords: IM/DD OCDMA; LIDAR; free-space optical communication; idle listening time; range ambiguity; time-of-flight.