FMCW lidar stands for frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar. It is a type of lidar (light detection and ranging) technology used for remote sensing, distance measurement, and 3D mapping. FMCW lidar operates on the principle of sending out laser beams that are modulated in frequency and measuring the time it takes for the reflected light to return to the sensor.
How it works:
Frequency modulation: FMCW lidar emits laser beams with a continuously changing frequency. The laser frequency is modulated by varying it over time. This modulation can be linear, sawtooth, or other patterns.
Emitting and receiving: The lidar system sends out these modulated laser beams toward the target area of interest. Some of the light is reflected by objects in the environment and returns to the lidar sensor.
Interference measurement: When the reflected light returns to the sensor, the system measures the phase difference between the emitted and received signals. The phase difference is used to determine the time it took for the light to travel to the target and back.
Distance calculation: By knowing the speed of light and the frequency modulation pattern, the Lidar system can calculate the distance to objects in the scene with high precision.
FMCW lidar has several advantages over traditional pulsed Lidar systems, including the ability to measure multiple distances simultaneously, resistance to interference from other lidar systems, and the capability to provide high-resolution 3D mapping of the environment. This technology is used in applications such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and environmental monitoring, where accurate distance and mapping information is crucial.