METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTICALLY TRACKING A TARGET USING AN INTERFEROMETRIC TECHNIQUE

摘要

An optical position-tracking system (200) comprises an optical device (260) for generating an incident light beam (284) and a reference light beam (282) from a light beam (280). Moreover, the optical position-tracking system (200) further comprises a light beam steering device (230) for sweeping the incident light beam (284) through an angular range (290) to cause a reflection (286) of the incident light beam (284) by a target (205), whereas the reflection (286) of the incident light beam (284) is directed to interfere with the reference light beam (282) to form an interference light beam (250). Additionally, the optical position-tracking system (200) enables determination of a position of the target (205) using an interferometric technique utilizing an angular value of the incident light beam (284) and the interference light beam (250), whereas the angular value depends on the reflection (286). If the light beam (280) has a plurality of wavelengths, either due to the existence of these wavelengths simultaneously, or over a time interval having multiple wavelengths, the absolute position of the target (205) can be determined. If the light beam (280) has a single wavelength, the relative position of the target (205) can be determined. ® KIPO & WIPO 2007