LIDAR LED distance sensor/range finder - horizontal line with objects

Hi there community,

I am reaching out with a probably simple question. I am planning to use a Benewake TF03 LIDAR LED rangefinder to measure the distance of a moving object, travelling on a cable, from a fixed point. The object will travel in a straight line away from and towards to the fixed point. However, it won’t be horizontally on the same level as the fixed point i.e. it travels below the fixed point.

Now I am wondering whether measuring the travel of the object moving in a parabola or convex line is possible with a Benewake TF03 LIDAR LED Rangefinder IP65.

The set up will look something like this:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Farticle%2F10.1007%2Fs40725-021-00150-x&psig=AOvVaw1lItjT9NY87IDpAdcfG9EQ&ust=1648584824920000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCLDQqZ3P6fYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

in which I want to measure the distance from fixed point (a) to the travelling object (d).

Thank you so for you help!

Hello @slahr and welcome to the RobotShop community,

The TF03 LIDAR has a field of view of 0.5° which will most likely not be enough for your application, it would be best if you choose one with a wider FOV.

Regards

1 Like

Hi geraldinebc15,

Thank you so much for your reply! Do you have any recommendations for a LiDAR range finder with a wider FOV, that you think would be suitable for what I am planning?

I think it would be best if you select a Multi-beam LIDAR.

What range of distance do you want to cover? Do you need it to have a certain level of protection? How far do you think the object can deviate? Can it deviate in both X and Y?

Maybe something like this could work for you?

The Multi-beam looks very interesting. The range that I am looking for is up to 200m. Less is acceptable, it just limits my results and or range of application.
The object can deviate in both X and Y. The horizontal deviation depends on the use case and is ideally very little (less than a meter). The vertical deviation can be up to several meters (max 10 m). Are X and Y interchangeable by simply turning the sensor 90°? In any case, a wide FOV in both orientations X and Y would be ideal. Size and weight, for example, are less limiting factors.

My questions now are: at what distance is the beam divergence measured. E.g. the LIDAR-Lite 3 Laser Rangefinder High Performance (LLV3HP) has a beam divergence with an 8m radian. What does that tell me about the FOV?

And could the LeddarTech M16 Sensing LiDAR Module (95° Beam) be an option, knowing that I have to sacrifice range for FOV?

Thank you so much for helping me with these probably very simple questions!

Are X and Y interchangeable by simply turning the sensor 90°?

Yes.

Size and weight, for example, are less limiting factors?

Noted, I saw that your first option had a high IP rating, is that also a factor to consider?

My questions now are: at what distance is the beam divergence measured. E.g. the LIDAR-Lite 3 Laser Rangefinder High Performance (LLV3HP) has a beam divergence with an 8m radian. What does that tell me about the FOV?

Here’s the information for that model

Also, it is worth noting that you should also consider the size of the object to choose the most appropiate LIDAR.

And could the LeddarTech M16 Sensing LiDAR Module (95° Beam) be an option, knowing that I have to sacrifice range for FOV?

Yes, but keep in mind that 95° is the horizontal FOV, the vertical range is narrower.
image

Thank you so much for helping me with these probably very simple questions!

No problem :wink: