The Ultimate Precision of Rangefinders and LiDARs based on Time-of-Flight Measurements

We analyze the ultimate timing precision of schemes for time-of-flight measurements with rangefinders and LiDARs, based on short-pulse, sine-wave modulated, and long-pulse techniques, and consider both random and systematic contributions to the total error. When quantum noise of detected photons prevails, the random error is given by a characteristic time of the waveform divided by the square root of detected photons. When the detector is thermal-noise limited, the random error is increased by the square root of the ratio thermal-equivalent power to detected power. The systematic error may become much larger than the random one, but an appropriate choice of parameters can reduce it below the random error. (c) 2021 The Author(s)

Automated summary

In schemes for time-of-flight measurements with rangefinders and LiDARs, random error is influenced by quantum noise of detected photons, while systematic error may be larger than random error. By choosing appropriate parameters, systematic error can be reduced below random error.