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.

Inputs Clear Input

Modulation Frequency, MHz

Measured Phase Shift in degrees

Outputs Calculate

Distance of object from LiDAR in meters

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.

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• Mechanical Scanning vs Solid-State LiDAR Differences
• Single-Shot vs Multi-Shot LiDAR Differences
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