Range accuracy analysis of streak tube imaging lidar systems

•A theoretical model of time-resolved signal distribution including both the static blurring width and laser pulse width is presented.•The relationship between range accuracy and static blurring width is analyzed, and is validated by both simulation and experimental results•By using the optimal static blurring width, the range accuracies have been enhanced in both indoor and outdoor experiments with a stand-off distance of 10 m and 1700 m, respectively.•The work presented here is useful for the design and evaluation of the STIL systems.

Streak tube imaging lidar (STIL) is an active imaging system that has a high range accuracy and a wide range gate with the use of a pulsed laser transmitter and streak tube receiver to produce 3D range images. This work investigates the range accuracy performance of STIL systems based on a peak detection algorithm, taking into account the effects of blurring of the image. A theoretical model of the time-resolved signal distribution, including the static blurring width in addition to the laser pulse width, is presented, resulting in a modified range accuracy analysis. The model indicates that the static blurring width has a significant effect on the range accuracy, which is validated by both the simulation and experimental results. By using the optimal static blurring width, the range accuracies are enhanced in both indoor and outdoor experiments, with a stand-off distance of 10 m and 1700 m, respectively, and corresponding, best range errors of 0.06 m and 0.25 m were achieved in a daylight environment.