The Functional Principle of Multi Pixel Technology (MPT)

The optical distance measurement is based on the triangulation principle. With this geometric method, the distance to the target object is measured by accurately measuring angles within triangles.

The power beam emits a light beam to the target object; the object reflects this light beam back. The reflected laser beam is then recaptured by a light-sensitive receiver in the sensor, the multi-pixel array.

Depending on the distance between the sensor and the object, the reflected light hits different positions on the multi-pixel array: If the target object is close, there is a large change in angle. If it is further away, there is a smaller change in angle.

By observing the angular relationship and finding the position of the light spot on the receiver, the precise distance of the scanned object to the sensor is determined. This calculation is made with the help of an built-in microprocessor and corresponding software algorithms.

Using the laser light sensor, objects can be detected two-dimensionally. Instead of a light spot, a line of light is used to make contact with the object. This line of light is reflected and projected onto the two-dimensional spatially resolving detector in the form of a light intersection. In this case, a flat CMOS chip is used as the detector.

The combination of the triangulation principle and conventional measurement function enables the distance, height, and width information of objects to be measured.