<p>This thesis is performed at Saab Bofors Dynamics in Karlskoga and investigates a technique for ranging with laser pulses. The investigated technique is called Constant Fraction Detection (CFD). Described briefly, the received laser pulse is split into two equal parts, where one part is delayed half the pulse width and inverted. This signal is added to the original pulse. The resulting curve has the shape of a laying S and the detection of the zero level is used to stop the time measurement. The time measurement will be independent of the incoming signal’s amplitude. The CFD technique has the advantage of collecting accurate data for each send pulse, which results in an ability to collect values of measurement with a high frequency. The theses investigates a measurement frequency of 10 kHz that will give an opportunity to implement a scanning function with the possibility to, for example, reproduce a ground structure from a flying object. </p><p>The theses include both digital and analog electronics, which makes it a complex design task. The detector was constructed using analog circuits, from the signal processing of the incoming reflected pulse to the generation of a voltage level as a representation of the distance. The analog part is controlled by digital signals generated by a FPGA, which also performs calculations to convert the voltage level into a distance displayed on a LCD. </p><p>A large part of the work was dedicated to designing a layout and constructing a surface mounted printed circuit board (PCB) and therefor the report treats the whole development process, from technical requirement to construction and verification of a prototype. </p><p>The conclusion states that the CFD technique is a suitable technique for ranging with demands on fast collection of data. The prototype has sufficient accuracy at constant amplitude and was at the time of presentation shown as a prototype for demonstration. The independence of amplitude on the incoming signal was never accomplished and the reason for this is stated in the report. However, further development should solve the problem.</p>

This thesis is performed at Saab Bofors Dynamics in Karlskoga and investigates a technique for ranging with laser pulses. The investigated technique is called Constant Fraction Detection (CFD). Described briefly, the received laser pulse is split into two equal parts, where one part is delayed half the pulse width and inverted. This signal is added to the original pulse. The resulting curve has the shape of a laying S and the detection of the zero level is used to stop the time measurement. The time measurement will be independent of the incoming signal’s amplitude. The CFD technique has the advantage of collecting accurate data for each send pulse, which results in an ability to collect values of measurement with a high frequency. The theses investigates a measurement frequency of 10 kHz that will give an opportunity to implement a scanning function with the possibility to, for example, reproduce a ground structure from a flying object. The theses include both digital and analog electronics, which makes it a complex design task. The detector was constructed using analog circuits, from the signal processing of the incoming reflected pulse to the generation of a voltage level as a representation of the distance. The analog part is controlled by digital signals generated by a FPGA, which also performs calculations to convert the voltage level into a distance displayed on a LCD. A large part of the work was dedicated to designing a layout and constructing a surface mounted printed circuit board (PCB) and therefor the report treats the whole development process, from technical requirement to construction and verification of a prototype. The conclusion states that the CFD technique is a suitable technique for ranging with demands on fast collection of data. The prototype has sufficient accuracy at constant amplitude and was at the time of presentation shown as a prototype for demonstration. The independence of amplitude on the incoming signal was never accomplished and the reason for this is stated in the report. However, further development should solve the problem.