Dynamic Optical Ranging & Timing with Multipoint Measurement

Project Information

DORT MuM

Grant agreement ID: 101071478

DOI

10.3030/101071478

Project closed

EC signature date 24 May 2022

Start date 1 June 2022

End date 31 May 2023

Funded under

• European innovation ecosystems

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 75 000,00

Coordinated by

MUNIQUE TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DORT MuM (Dynamic Optical Ranging & Timing with Multipoint Measurement)

Reporting period: 2022-06-01 to 2023-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Within this project, the DORT system is extended by the multipoint feature.

To explain the potential more simply, the structural health monitoring of bridges is used as an example:
For larger structures, many different measuring points have to be measured sequentially. Each measuring point has to be individually aimed at in order to be able to carry out the distance measurement. During the measurement series, the measurement device must be mechanically very stable so that the measured distance can only be traced back to the target. This is technically a huge challenge, as even the smallest movements or vibrations of the measurement device influence the data and lowers the accuracy. The demands on the positioning mounting or on the measuring heads of the measuring system are therefore very high. And the longer the measurement series takes, the more inaccurate the result is. With DORT-Multipoint Measurement (DORT-MuM), only a single device would be necessary to measure all points simultaneously with equal performances. This unique selling point simplifies the measurement and saves time. Thus, cost savings are already possible since measurement time is drastically lowered. The user-friendliness increases because the handling requirements (very stable installation) are lower. And (more important) it enables a new type of highly accurate 3D formation measurement, as the structure is intrinsically measured.

This multipoint feature is not only for terrestrial applications. As an example for space, one satellite could be equipped with multiple measurement points. The scanning of the measurement points would result in the precise orientation of the satellite which is essential for space telescopes

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work carried out in the project can be divided into two parts.

A first part in which a multi-point measurement with the DORT system is developed. With an add-on to the existing measurement system, it is possible to measure several points in parallel with the same performance.
Different possibilities of multi-point measurement are evaluated and their performance tested. Starting with two measuring points, the number is gradually increased. In this way, the maximum possible number of measuring points is estimated.
The tests have shown that the limiting factor in this case is not the actual measurement setup, but the electronics used for signal processing. In our case, a space-tolerant FPGA manufactured in the EU is planned. A first estimate shows that up to 5 measuring points can be measured in parallel with the same performance.

In the subsequent second part, a compact DORT setup for a measurement campaign will be assembled. Within the project, the performance and versatility of the DORT technology will be proven in a measurement campaign.
In the subsequent second part, initial test measurements are carried out for a later application. The possible applications of the DORT technology are very versatile. In addition to absolute large distance measurement and micro-vibration detection, the technology can also be used for time and frequency synchronisation. Multipoint measurement is particularly important for use as a length measuring device. The precise 3D measurement of a 3D point cloud with one device is thus made possible. The first application to be investigated in this project is the measurement of the propagation of an acoustic wave.
For a reproducible measurement, a test setup with piezo actuators is created. It could be demonstrated that the performance of DORT is sufficient to measure an acoustic wave. The resolution of the phase is many times higher than with state-of-the-art technologies. The DORT technology was compared with a triangulation sensor.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The results of this project are the development of a multipoint feature for parallel measurement of up to 5 points with the same performance and the demonstration of the measurement of an acoustic wave.

DORT technology is a novel measurement method that makes many new applications possible and thus has a great scientific input. The feature of the multipoint measurement is particularly interesting for the direct measurement of an acoustic wave in a surface. Any industry dealing with surface dynamics, e.g. the automotive industry with a focus on car bodies, could for the first time be able to measure these effects directly and compare them with their simulations. This would lead to improvements in aerodynamics and noise emissions, which would have an impact on energy consumption, among other things. Multipoint measurement also opens up completely new possibilities in civil engineering. For example, sound propagation in building walls can be measured directly for the first time.