Heterodyne Detection using Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave LiDAR

Abstract: Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a technique that can change the way automated systems interact with their environments. The most common LiDAR systems used in industry today are based on the concept of Time-of-Flight (ToF) and utilizes pulsed lasers. Coherent LiDAR, such as Frequency-Modulated Continuous- Wave (FMCW) LiDAR, which operates with a chirped continuous-wave laser, offers advantageous resolution and precision compared to ToF LiDAR. The main draw- backs for FMCW LiDAR are the complexity and cost of the system. The goal of this project was to improve the understanding of the fundamentals and the operational functions of FMCW LiDAR systems. This was done by designing and constructing a FMCW LiDAR that can perform measurements up to a distance of 10 m. Furthermore, by analyzing the individual components included in a FMCW LiDAR system, possible options to improve the measurement precision was investigated. Finally, distance measurements were made to evaluate the performance of the final construct.