Neural Network Ensemble for Precise Laser Spot Position Determination on a Quadrant Detector

A quadrant detector (QD) is a widely used technology for laser spot position sensing in establishing and maintaining laser communication links. There is a nonlinear relationship between the output signal offset and the precise location of the laser spot on the QD, which impairs position detection accuracy. To address the problem, this work employs a neural network ensemble solution. An ensemble of neural networks combines the predictive power of multiple artificial neural network (ANN) models, resulting in improved generalization and prediction stability compared to a single neural network. Test results indicate that our solution demonstrates a significant improvement in both the estimated position error and the generalization capability when compared to individual ANN solutions.