Single-pixel imaging and ranging via rotating encoding patterns

A single-pixel imaging (SPI) scheme is demonstrated that employs a cyclic S-matrix-based rotating encoded disk to replace conventional spatial light modulators. Under nanosecond pulsed laser illumination, the system simultaneously achieves two-dimensional imaging and ranging by integrating intensity imaging with time-of-flight (TOF) measurements. Using only a single-pixel detector, the system records nanosecond pulse echoes to simultaneously extract the intensity fluctuations of the optical field and TOF data, thereby unifying intensity imaging and distance sensing functionalities. An experimental prototype operating at 30 ns pulse width and 58 kHz repetition rate has demonstrated grayscale imaging at 16 frames per second with a 59×61 array of 80 μm sized pixels, together with nanosecond-level ranging accuracy. Compressed sensing experiments on targets with varying reflectivity and sampling rates confirm the system’s high performance in both imaging and ranging, offering a robust efficient alternative to traditional modulation-based systems, across diverse reflectivity conditions in resource-constrained or high-speed imaging scenarios.