iToF Distance Calculator | Indirect Time of Flight Formula

This indirect time of flight (iToF) LiDAR distance calculator uses the phase shift of a modulated light wave to determine the distance to a target. By inputting the modulation frequency and measured phase shift, you can quickly calculate the range of your LiDAR sensor.

Example:

Input:

• Modulation Frequency, MHz: 20
• Measured Phase Shift in degrees: 60

Output:

• Distance of Target from LiDAR in meters: 1.25

Constant:

• Speed of Light (c): 3 x 10^8 m/s

iToF LiDAR Distance Formula

Where,

• d = Distance to target (meters)
• c = Speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s)
• fm = Modulation frequency (Hz)
• phi = Measured phase shift (radians)

Applications/Benefits of iToF LiDAR Distance Calculation

• 3D Imaging: iToF LiDAR is ideal for creating detailed 3D maps of environments, making it useful for applications like virtual reality and gaming.
• Autonomous Vehicles: iToF LiDAR can provide accurate distance measurements for obstacle detection and navigation in self driving cars, especially in complex environments.
• Robotics: iToF LiDAR helps robots understand their surroundings and navigate by calculating distances to nearby objects with high precision.
• Industrial Automation: iToF LiDAR can be used in manufacturing and logistics for tasks like object detection, inventory management and quality control.
• Augmented Reality: iToF LiDAR enhances AR experiences by providing accurate distance measurements, allowing for better virtual object placement and interaction with the real world.

References for further study

• “Indirect Time of Flight (iToF) LiDAR Technology” - An in depth article explaining how iToF LiDAR works and its advantages over direct ToF.
• “Phase Shift Measurement in iToF LiDAR Systems” - A technical paper detailing the phase shift method for distance calculation in iToF LiDAR.
• “Applications of iToF LiDAR in 3D Imaging and Autonomous Vehicles” - A case study exploring real world uses of iToF LiDAR technology.