Time-of-flight range profiling using time-correlated single-photon counting

Optical range profiling with high resolution can be accomplished using single-photon counting time-of-flight techniques. Detection of optical surfaces with high resolution is of importance for several remote sensing applications. The use of laser pulses in the picosecond regime, single-photon detectors and acquisition electronics with high timing resolution provides the tools for improving the range accuracy. In this work a system based on time-of-flight range profiling using time-correlated single-photon counting techniques is described. The system is intended to be used for optical range profiling in field experiments. Experimental results from measurements on test targets are presented. Schemes for extraction of range information from the experimental temporal profile and results from performance modelling are briefly discussed.