Algorithm for Determining the Distance Between Objects and their Linear Dimensions in the Field of View of an Active-Pulse Television Measuring System

An algorithm for determining the distance between observed objects and their linear dimensions in the field of view of an active-pulse television measuring system (AP TMS) using depth maps obtained by the multi-area range measurement method (MARMM) has been developed and experimentally studied. The possibility of using AP TMS and MARMM for the task of remotely measuring distances between observed objects and their linear dimensions has been assessed. The proposed algorithm allows determining the dimensions of objects and the distances between them based on known AP TMS parameters and information on the location of pixels on the matrix of the photodetector. The objects dimensions are understood as their linear quantities — width and height, determined in the metric coordinate system. Information on the location of pixels on the matrix includes the coordinates of pixels (row and column numbers of the matrix), which correspond to certain points of objects, in the coordinate system of the photodetector matrix (row and column numbers of the matrix). The algorithm adapts the known relationships of geometric optics for MARMM used in AP TMS. An experiment performed in laboratory conditions with an AP TMS prototype is used to test the algorithm. Results of the measurements show that the use of MARMM with 50 ns duration of the electron-optical converter strobing pulse provides the standart deviation (SD) of the calculated values relative to the reference (measured): for the objects sizes, SD = 0.01 m (no more than 5%); for distances between objects, SD = 0.12 m. Thus, the proposed algorithm can be used in practice for remote determination of linear dimensions of objects and distances between them using AP TMS.