High Dynamics and Precision Optical Measurement Using a Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) in Reflection-Mode: Application to 2D Object Tracking over a Smart Surface.

Ioan Alexandru Ivan (1) , Mihai Ardeleanu (2) , Guillaume J. Laurent (1)

1 FEMTO-ST - Franche-Comté Électronique Mécanique, Thermique et Optique - Sciences et Technologies (UMR 6174)
2 FIE&FIMMR - FIE&FIMMR

When related to a single and good contrast object or a laser spot, position sensing, or sensitive, detectors (PSDs) have a series of advantages over the classical camera sensors, including a good positioning accuracy for a fast response time and very simple signal conditioning circuits. To test the performance of this kind of sensor for microrobotics, we have made a comparative analysis between a precise but slow video camera and a custom-made fast PSD system applied to the tracking of a diffuse-reflectivity object transported by a pneumatic microconveyor called Smart-Surface. Until now, the fast system dynamics prevented the full control of the smart surface by visual servoing, unless using a very expensive high frame rate camera. We have built and tested a custom and low cost PSD-based embedded circuit, optically connected with a camera to a single objective by means of a beam splitter. A stroboscopic light source enhanced the resolution. The obtained results showed a good linearity and a fast (over 500 frames per second) response time which will enable future closed-loop control by using PSD.

Mots clés: Microrobotics; optics; optomechatronics; sensing; PSD; position sentisitive detector; smart-surface; tracking algorithm.; tracking algorithm

Domaines: Micro et nanotechnologies/Microélectronique

Ioan Alexandru Ivan, Mihai Ardeleanu, Guillaume J. Laurent. High Dynamics and Precision Optical Measurement Using a Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) in Reflection-Mode: Application to 2D Object Tracking over a Smart Surface.. Sensors, 2012, 12, pp.16771-16784. ⟨10.3390/s12126771⟩. ⟨hal-00767657⟩