Optical distance meter and light source device used for the same

摘要

In a light-wave distance meter, a light source device emits reference modulated light beams from multiple spatially-separated light emitting areas, an optical means radiates a light beam derived from the multiple modulated light beams to the target of measurement, a light beam reception means receives the reflected return light beam from the target and converts it into an electrical pulse signal, and a distance measuring means calculates the distance to the target based on the time difference between the light beam emission and the return light beam reception. The low coherence and high intensity light beam produced by the light source device enables the extension of the maximum measurable distance.