Abstract: i iThe invention concerns a method for measuring the frequency modulation f(t) of a laser source that comprises the following steps: modulating the laser source over a period T by means of a modulation control during a same period T carrying out several measurements of a light beat intensity between two arms of an interferometer located downstream from the laser source and capable of introducing a delay t between the two arms said measurements being synchronised with the modulation control calculating the frequency f(t) from the measurements during each period T f(t) varies but delay t is considered to be constant delay t changes temporally over several periods T the measurements taken at time tduring a same period are repeated at t+k T with k=1 and delay t has changed from one iteration to another.
is calculated then diagonalized in order to define the eigenvectors vi and the eigenvalues \±: T vi = \i v± Ai^A2^...^Am>0: eigenvalues (vi, v2, ..., vm) : orthonormal basis of lffl (eigenvectors) . In practice, only the 3 largest eigenvalues are non-negligible. Therefore, the projection of x in the sub-space formed by (vl, v2, v3) is calculated, thereby allowing the dimensionality of the problem to be decreased. An example of an experimental result for the path {x(t), 0 < t < T} of the vector x(t) in this sub-space is presented in figure 3b: this path is obtained for m = 400 periods of 200 us measured over about 10 s with a sampling frequency of 125 MHz i.e. about 25000 points per period (a satisfactory ■ result is obtained with 5000 points per period or more). Typically the period T is comprised between 10 to 800 us and the delay x typically varies over a duration comprised between 1 s and 30 0 s. The points are organized into an elliptical cylinder of axis w0- To determine the axis Wo, of the ellipse, it is sought to minimize a criterion C (w) such as the variance of the norm relative to the square of the norm (the projection plane is chosen in order to obtain the most circular shape possible): where p„(x) designates the projection of x along the axis w. By projecting the points x along w0, a slightly elliptical shape is obtained that, after re-normalization, as may be seen from figure 4a, allows: a(t] = 2ttT/(t], and therefore the frequency over time as illustrated in figure 4b, to be deduced. It has been possible to simultaneously evaluate various frequencies f(t) in this way, using this technique, for example by implementing a complex frequency f(t) comprising over a given period T a portion that is - Constant - Sinusoidal - Parabolic - Triangular. A method for treating the signals xi (t) based on organization thereof in a vector form has been described. Other processing methods may be envisaged, such as, for example: an iterative linear regression; a simulated anneal; or recursive, genetic or Monte Carlo algorithms taking into account all of the measurements. This method may in particular be used to calibrate the frequency of the laser source of a lidar to a setpoint fo(t)f without using any AOMs. Such a procedure allows possible drifts in the transfer function of the laser (related to temperature, to the ageing of the diode, etc.) to be avoided. The main calibrating steps described with reference to figure 5 are carried out as follows. A first step consists in defining a linear transformation between the control voltage and the frequency of the laser. This linear transformation may advantageously be obtained by measuring the transfer function of the frequency modulation. This is then done by using a known white noise (for example in a frequency band comprised between 0 and 150 kHz) as the control voltage of the modulation of the form where the Ok are independent random phases, and by measuring the emitted frequency, using the method described above. The modulation transfer function is obtained with the relationship: The calibrating process is then iterative in order to take into account the (experimentally observed) nonlinearity in this transfer function: from the frequency setpoint, a first voltage to be applied to the laser diode is calculated using a linear transformation of this setpoint, for example using the modulation transfer function, such that: the emitted frequency fi (t) is measured using the method described above; the error in frequency with respect to the setpoint Afi(t) = fi(t) - fo(t) is deduced from the preceding measurement; this error allows a correction of the control voltage defined from Af±(t) and the function defined above (for example the FTM) to be defined: 5 tf(+I(£) = a,(t) - TF-*{TF{Aft(t% X FTM"\v) }. the system repeats the preceding 3 points in order to refine the required control voltage and therefore the emitted frequency. Two iterations generally allow a satisfactory 10 result be obtained and, typically, 3 to 4 iterations are sufficient to achieve the minimal accessible error (i.e. about 1 minute) as illustrated in figure 6. These calibrating and measuring methods allow the 15 AOM found in the examples of the prior art to be omitted. However, use thereof is not excluded; specifically an AOM may optionally be added to one of the arms of the interferometer in order to avoid low-frequency noise. 20 The beat signal may be processed using hardware and/or software elements. This processing may be achieved using a computer-program product stored on a computer-readable medium, this computer program 25 comprising code instructions allowing the steps of the reconstruction method to be carried out. The medium may be electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or be a storage medium employing infrared. Such media are for example semiconductor memories (random access memories 30 (RAMs) , read-only memories (ROMs)), tapes, floppy disks, hard disks or optical disks (compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc - read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD). 35 Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, obviously it is in no way limited thereto and comprises any technical equivalent of the means described and combinations A method for measuring the modulation frequency f(t) of a laser source (1) that comprises the following steps: modulating the laser source over a period T, with a modulation controller (11); in a given period T, carrying out a plurality of measurements of a beat light intensity between two arms of an interferometer (2) located downstream of the laser source and able to introduce a delay i between the two arms, these measurements being synchronized with the control of the modulation; and calculating the frequency f (t) from the measurements; characterized in that during each period T, f(t); over a plurality of periods T, the delay T varies as a function of time, with AT>10% X/C and AI/T < 0.01 X/c, where c is "the speed of light and A the wavelength of the source; the measurements are carried out at the time ti in a given period and reiterated at ti+kT, with k>l the delay i having varied from ■ one iteration to the next; and the frequency modulation is calculated from all of the reiterated measurements obtained under distinct interference conditions because of the variation in T. The method for measuring the modulation frequency f(t) of a laser source as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized ■ in that the frequency modulation is calculated from a covariance matrix using a plurality of measurements. The method for measuring the modulation frequency f(t) of a laser source as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the variation as a function of time of the delay i is stimulated by means of a piezoelectric device. The method for measuring the modulation frequency f (t) of a laser source as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calculation includes: organizing reiterated measurements that are homologous from one period to the next in the form of vectors x(t), 0 ^ t < T; these vectors x(t) describing an elliptical cylinder, calculating the axis w0 of the cylinder; and projecting, along the axis w0, onto a determined plane, this projection being parameterized by an angle that is a function of f(t). The method for measuring the modulation frequency f(t) of a laser source as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that function of f (t) of the angle is developed to the first order and in that the angle is proportional to f(t). The method for measuring the modulation frequency f(t) of a laser source as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the period i is about a few us, and the delay varies over a duration varying from a few seconds to a few minutes. A method for calibrating the frequency of the laser source (1) of a lidar to a setpoint f0(t), which comprises "the following steps: modulating the frequency of the • laser source (1) by means of a preset periodic control voltage U (t); defining a linear transformation between f(t) and U(t); calculating a first control voltage Ui(t) from fo(t) and said linear transformation; i=l and iterating the following steps: o - measuring the frequency f± (t) of the laser source as claimed in one of the preceding claims; o calculating the error Af^(t) = fi(t) fo (t) and a correcting control voltage from Afi(t) and said linear transformation; o defining a new control voltage Ui+i(t) from the preceding control voltage Ui(t) and the correcting control voltage; o i=i+l. 8. The calibrating method as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the linear transformation between f (t) and U (t) is obtained by measuring the transfer function of the frequency modulation, which is designated the FTM. 9. The calibrating method as claimed in either of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the number of iterations is lower than 10„ 10. A computer-program product, said computer program comprising code instructions allowing the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 to be carried out when said program is executed on a computer. 11. A system for measuring the frequency modulation f(t) of a laser source that comprises: the laser source (1) associated with a modulation controller (11) ; a two-arm interferometer (2) with a delay line (21) in one of the arms; a device (4) for measuring beat signals generated by the interferometer; a unit (5) for processing the measured signal; and a synchronizing device (6) that is connected to the modulation controller (11) ' and to the processing unit; characterized in that the processing unit is-suitable for implementing the method as claimed in one of claims 1 to .10. The system for measuring frequency modulation as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the interferometer (2) is of Mach-Zehnder or Michelson type. 5. The system for measuring frequency modulation as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interferometer (2) does not include any acousto-optical modulators.
| # | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 201747034121-IntimationOfGrant16-08-2023.pdf | 2023-08-16 |
| 1 | 201747034121-TRANSLATIOIN OF PRIOIRTY DOCUMENTS ETC. [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 2 | 201747034121-PatentCertificate16-08-2023.pdf | 2023-08-16 |
| 2 | 201747034121-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 3 | 201747034121-PRIORITY DOCUMENTS [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 3 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [24-07-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-07-24 |
| 4 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [21-01-2022(online)].pdf | 2022-01-21 |
| 4 | 201747034121-DRAWINGS [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 5 | 201747034121-FER.pdf | 2021-10-17 |
| 5 | 201747034121-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 6 | 201747034121-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 6 | 201747034121-ABSTRACT [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 7 | 201747034121.pdf | 2017-09-28 |
| 7 | 201747034121-CLAIMS [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 8 | 201747034121-Verified English translation (MANDATORY) [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 8 | 201747034121-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 9 | 201747034121-DRAWING [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 9 | 201747034121-Proof of Right (MANDATORY) [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 10 | 201747034121-FER_SER_REPLY [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 10 | 201747034121-FORM-26 [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 11 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 11 | 201747034121-FORM-26 [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 12 | 201747034121-Information under section 8(2) [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 12 | Correspondence by Agent_Form 1, English Translation, Power of Attorney_08-12-2017.pdf | 2017-12-08 |
| 13 | 201747034121-OTHERS [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 13 | abstract 201747034121 .jpg | 2017-12-12 |
| 14 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [09-03-2018(online)].pdf | 2018-03-09 |
| 14 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [12-04-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-04-12 |
| 15 | 201747034121-FORM 18 [05-03-2019(online)].pdf | 2019-03-05 |
| 16 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [09-03-2018(online)].pdf | 2018-03-09 |
| 16 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [12-04-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-04-12 |
| 17 | abstract 201747034121 .jpg | 2017-12-12 |
| 17 | 201747034121-OTHERS [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 18 | Correspondence by Agent_Form 1, English Translation, Power of Attorney_08-12-2017.pdf | 2017-12-08 |
| 18 | 201747034121-Information under section 8(2) [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 19 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 19 | 201747034121-FORM-26 [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 20 | 201747034121-FER_SER_REPLY [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 20 | 201747034121-FORM-26 [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 21 | 201747034121-DRAWING [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 21 | 201747034121-Proof of Right (MANDATORY) [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 22 | 201747034121-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 22 | 201747034121-Verified English translation (MANDATORY) [07-12-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-12-07 |
| 23 | 201747034121-CLAIMS [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 23 | 201747034121.pdf | 2017-09-28 |
| 24 | 201747034121-ABSTRACT [06-05-2021(online)].pdf | 2021-05-06 |
| 24 | 201747034121-COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 25 | 201747034121-FER.pdf | 2021-10-17 |
| 25 | 201747034121-DECLARATION OF INVENTORSHIP (FORM 5) [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 26 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [21-01-2022(online)].pdf | 2022-01-21 |
| 26 | 201747034121-DRAWINGS [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 27 | 201747034121-PRIORITY DOCUMENTS [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 27 | 201747034121-FORM 3 [24-07-2023(online)].pdf | 2023-07-24 |
| 28 | 201747034121-STATEMENT OF UNDERTAKING (FORM 3) [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 28 | 201747034121-PatentCertificate16-08-2023.pdf | 2023-08-16 |
| 29 | 201747034121-TRANSLATIOIN OF PRIOIRTY DOCUMENTS ETC. [26-09-2017(online)].pdf | 2017-09-26 |
| 29 | 201747034121-IntimationOfGrant16-08-2023.pdf | 2023-08-16 |
| 1 | 2020-11-0915-38-08E_09-11-2020.pdf |
| 1 | NPL1E_09-11-2020.pdf |
| 2 | 2020-11-0915-38-08E_09-11-2020.pdf |
| 2 | NPL1E_09-11-2020.pdf |