JP2002006030A - Multi-point simultaneous distance measuring method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a method and apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring distances to a plurality of positions at low cost. SOLUTION: A single electromagnetic wave transmission signal output from a transmission circuit 22 is transmitted from transmission antennas 1 and 3 to measurement target points A and B via a branch circuit 23 and transmission lines 15a and 15c.
These reflected waves are transmitted to the receiving antennas 2 and 4 and the transmission path 15.
b and 15d to the combining circuit 24 for combining, the receiving circuit 24 detects the reflected signals from the measurement target points A and B from the combined wave, and the distance measuring circuit 21 calculates the respective reflected signals from the transmission time of the electromagnetic wave. Each time is measured until the time of detection of the reflected signal from the measurement target points A and B, and each distance is calculated simultaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-contact distance measuring technique using an electromagnetic wave signal such as a microwave or a millimeter wave, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for simultaneously measuring a plurality of distances. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a multi-point measuring method using a radar type distance meter using microwaves or millimeter waves, an antenna for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave signals is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-11328. A method has been proposed in which a surface profile or the like of a measurement target is measured based on measurement data of a plurality of points at different antenna positions and directions while scanning or performing angle change. Also,
Generally, in order to simultaneously perform measurement at multiple points, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of distance meters and a signal transmitting / receiving device (antenna) for each distance meter.

[0003]

However, the conventional method of changing only the direction of the antenna using a device having one range finder and one antenna is used.
In the method of switching a plurality of antennas using a device including a rangefinder and a plurality of antennas, since it takes time to change the direction of the antenna or switch the antenna at each measurement target position, simultaneous transmission at multiple points is required. There was a problem that measurement could not be performed. Also, if a plurality of sets of devices constituted by a range finder and a signal transmitting / receiving device (antenna) are prepared, it is possible to simultaneously measure the distance to a plurality of points. However, preparing a plurality of sets of devices is expensive. Problem.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-point simultaneous distance measuring method comprising: branching a single electromagnetic wave transmission signal into a plurality of signals; Waves are transmitted toward the plurality of measurement target positions via the wave transmitting means, and the reflected signals from the plurality of measurement target positions are received by the plurality of reception means, respectively, and the plurality of reception signals are received. Is input to the synthesizing means via a plurality of transmission paths, and is synthesized into a single received signal, and the reflected signal from each of the plurality of measurement target positions included in the received signal is received and the synthesized signal is received. Detecting and measuring each time from the transmission time of the single electromagnetic wave transmission signal to the reception time of each reflected signal from each of the plurality of detected and detected measurement target positions, and measuring the plurality of times based on each measurement time. The distance to each measurement target position Than it is.

[0005] A multi-point simultaneous distance measuring method according to a second aspect of the present invention is the multi-point simultaneous distance measuring method according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of branched electromagnetic wave signals are transmitted to a plurality of transmitting means. Any one of a plurality of transmission lines,
Alternatively, a propagation time delay element is inserted into any one of a plurality of transmission paths for transmitting the received signals of the plurality of reception means to the synthesis means, and a single reception signal synthesized by the synthesis means is provided. This is to prevent the received signals from the plurality of receiving means in the signal from being superimposed on the time axis.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multipoint simultaneous distance measuring method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of transmitting means and the plurality of receiving means are linear. The transmitting means and the receiving means are alternately arranged at regular intervals on the upper side, and distance measurement at multiple points is performed simultaneously using the adjacent transmitting means and receiving means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-point simultaneous distance measuring apparatus, comprising: transmitting means for generating a predetermined electromagnetic wave signal and transmitting the signal to a branching means directly or via a transmission path; A branching means for inputting an electromagnetic wave signal through a path and branching and outputting the plurality of electromagnetic wave signals, and a plurality of electromagnetic wave signals output from the branching means input through each transmission path to a plurality of respective measurement target positions. A plurality of transmitting antennas for transmitting toward, and a plurality of receiving antennas respectively combined with the plurality of transmitting antennas and receiving electromagnetic wave signals reflected from the plurality of measurement target positions,
Combining means for inputting a plurality of received signals respectively received by the plurality of receiving antennas via the respective transmission paths and combining them, and outputting a single received signal as a result of the combining, and an output signal of the combining means. Receiving means for detecting each of the reception signals reflected from the plurality of measurement target positions included in the reception signal, and reception and detection by the reception means from the transmission time of the electromagnetic wave signal by the transmission means. Measure each time until the reception time of each reception signal reflected from each of the plurality of measurement target positions, and, based on each measurement time, a plurality of measurement targets corresponding to the plurality of transmission antennas and reception antenna combination positions. Distance measuring means for simultaneously measuring the distance to the position.

A multipoint simultaneous distance measuring device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the multipoint simultaneous distance measuring device according to the fourth aspect, wherein any one of a distance between each output of the branching unit and each input of the plurality of transmitting antennas is used. A propagation path delay element inserted between any one of the transmission paths or each output of the plurality of receiving antennas and each input of the combining means, and a single received signal combined by the combining means. Is to prevent the respective received signals from the plurality of receiving antennas from being superimposed on the time axis.

A multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is the multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the plurality of transmitting antennas and the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged on a straight line. The transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are alternately arranged at regular intervals, and distance measurement is performed simultaneously at multiple points using a combination of adjacent transmitting antennas and receiving antennas.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The method and apparatus for simultaneously measuring multiple points according to the present invention will be described with reference to the following first to third embodiments. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In (a) of FIG.
Are the first transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, respectively.
A first antenna pair for measuring the distance to the measurement point A is configured. Similarly, reference numerals 3 and 4 denote a second transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, respectively, which constitute a second antenna pair for measuring the distance to the measurement target point B. Reference numeral 20 denotes a distance meter, which includes at least a distance measurement circuit 21, a transmission circuit 22,
It includes a branching circuit 23, a combining circuit 24, and a receiving circuit 25. Reference numerals 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d denote electromagnetic wave signal transmission paths that individually connect the antennas 1, 2, 3, 4, and the branch circuit 23 and the combining circuit 24 in the distance meter 20, respectively. Or a coaxial cable.

A distance measuring device using an electromagnetic wave signal shown in FIG. 1A is composed of a single distance meter 20 and two pairs of antennas 1.
To 4 and transmission lines 15a to 15d for connecting the two individually. First, an operation outline of each device in the distance meter 20 will be described. The distance measurement circuit 21 has the transmission line 15 therein.
Calibration data of the length of a to 15d or the time required for propagation of the electromagnetic wave signal in these transmission paths is set in advance, and from the transmission time at which the transmission trigger of the predetermined repetition frequency was transmitted to the transmission circuit 22, Each time until the input time when the reflected reception signal was input from each measurement target position was measured, and the distance to each measurement target position was measured using the measurement time and the calibration data of the transmission line set inside the measurement time. Perform multi-point simultaneous measurement.

When a transmission trigger is input from the distance measurement circuit 21, the transmission circuit 22 generates a microwave or millimeter wave transmission signal having a predetermined pulse width and outputs the signal to the branch circuit 23. The branching circuit 23 is formed of, for example, a T-shaped branching waveguide, and branches and outputs an input electromagnetic wave signal into two, and the branching output is transmitted through first and second transmission lines 15a and 15c. Transmitted to transmitting antennas 1 and 3. The synthesizing circuit 24 is a circuit that performs the reverse function of the branch circuit 23,
Each of the transmission paths 15 from the second receiving antennas 2 and 4
The two electromagnetic wave signals input through b and 15d are added and combined and supplied to the receiving circuit 25 as one electromagnetic wave signal. After amplifying the input electromagnetic wave signal, the receiving circuit 25 detects each of the received signals reflected from the plurality of measurement target positions included in the received signal, and supplies the signals to the distance measuring circuit 21.

FIG. 1B shows the reception timing of each reflected signal measured by the distance meter 20. The operation of the device shown in FIG. 1A will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1A, the measurement points A and B are located at a distance from each other, and the distance meter 20 is now in the distance from the first antenna pair 1, 2 to the measurement point A, and the second antenna The operation of simultaneously measuring the distance from pairs 3 and 4 to the measurement target point B will be described. The distance measurement circuit 21 in the distance meter 20 supplies a transmission trigger having a predetermined repetition frequency to the transmission circuit 22. The transmission circuit 22 generates an electromagnetic wave signal having a predetermined pulse width synchronized with the transmission trigger and supplies the signal to the branch circuit 23. I do. The branch circuit 23 branches the input electromagnetic wave signal into two, supplies one of the branched electromagnetic wave signals to the first transmitting antenna 1 via the transmission line 15a, and transmits the other branched electromagnetic wave signal via the transmission line 15c. To the second transmitting antenna 3.

The electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the first transmitting antenna 1 reaches the point A to be measured, and a part of the reflected signal is received by the first receiving antenna 2 and transmitted through the transmission line 15b.
Returns to the synthesizing circuit 24 via. Similarly, the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the second transmitting antenna 3 reaches the measurement target point B, and a part of the reflected signal is received by the second receiving antenna 4 and is combined via the transmission path 15d. 24 (in this example, the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are configured as two independent antennas, but it is also possible to use a transmitting / receiving antenna). And 2
The two electromagnetic wave signals that have returned after propagating through the transmission lines 15b and 15d are added and combined by the combining circuit 24, and supplied to the receiving circuit 25 as one electromagnetic wave signal. After a signal amplification width of the input electromagnetic wave signal, the receiving circuit 25 detects each of the received signals reflected from the two measurement target positions included in the received signal, and supplies the signals to the distance measuring circuit 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, when there are two transmitting antennas and two receiving antennas, the first transmitting antenna 1
L ₀₁ , the distance from the first transmitting antenna 1 to the measurement point A is L ₀₂ , the distance from the measurement point A to the first receiving antenna 2 is L ₀₃ , the length of the transmission line 15b from the reception antenna 2 to a distance meter 20 and L _04. Similarly, the length of the transmission path 15c from the distance meter 20 to the second transmission antenna 3 is L ₁₁ , the distance from the second transmission antenna 3 to the measurement target point B is L ₁₂ , and the distance from the measurement target point B to L The distance from the second receiving antenna 4 to the distance meter 20 is L ₁₃ , and the transmission path 15 d from the second receiving antenna 4 to the distance meter 20.
Is _L14 .

Next, with reference to FIG. 1B, a method of measuring the reception time of each reflected signal from the measurement target points A and B and the distance measurement method will be described. Now, the reflected signal from the measurement target point A via the first pair of antennas 1 and 2 is delayed from the transmission time of the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the distance meter 20 by the time T ₀ represented by the following equation (1). Return to the distance meter 20 at the time. T ₀ = (L ₀₁ + L ₀₂ + L ₀₃ + L ₀₄ ) / v (1) where v represents the propagation speed of the electromagnetic wave signal, and the transmission path 15a
Although the propagation speed within 15d and the propagation speed in the atmosphere are slightly different, here they are the same for simplicity. Similarly, the reflected reception signal from the measurement target point B via the second pair of antennas 3 and 4 takes a time T expressed by the following equation (2) from the transmission time of the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the distance meter 20. It returns to the distance meter 20 at a time delayed by _one . T ₁ = (L ₁₁ + L ₁₂ + L ₁₃ + L ₁₄ ) / v (2)

Here, from the distance meter 20 to the points A and B to be measured.
There is a difference in the reciprocating distance of each electromagnetic wave signal,
Chi (L₀₁+ L₀₂+ L₀₃+ L₀₄) ≠ (L₁₁+ L₁₂+ L₁₃+
L₁₄), And the time difference Δ according to the equations (1) and (2).
T = T₁-T₀Is larger than the transmission pulse width of the electromagnetic wave signal
In this case, the receiving circuit 25 outputs the first reflected signal and the second reflected signal.
Can be detected as two different signals
You. Therefore, each transmission from the distance meter 20 to each antenna 1 to 4
Transmission path length L₀₁, L₀₄, L ₁₁, L₁₄Calibrate and find
Or propagation of electromagnetic wave signals on transmission lines 15a and 15b
Compare the required time with the required propagation time on transmission lines 15c and 15d.
The length data or propagation time
Data in the distance measurement circuit 21 in advance.
The distance measurement circuit 21 calculates each of the above equations (1) and (2).
Find the measurement time and calibration data, etc., and distance to each measurement target point
Can be calculated.

If the distance between the measurement points A and B is small, the transmission path 15 from the distance meter 20 to each antenna
By adjusting the lengths of a to 15d (that is, the expression (1),
(The time difference ΔT due to (2) is made larger than the transmission pulse width of the electromagnetic wave signal), and when the reflected signals from each antenna pair are added and synthesized, a plurality of reflected signals do not overlap on the time axis. Should be adjusted. Also, the propagation speed of the electromagnetic wave signal is extremely high (3 × 10 ¹⁰ c
m / sec), and the pulse width of the electromagnetic wave signal is generally μ
Since the order is s and ns, the time difference ΔT is very small, and there is no problem even if the distance measurement is simultaneously performed on the measurement target points A and B.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multi-point simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and the devices denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same as or equivalent to those in FIG. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of receiving antennas and transmitting antennas are alternately arranged on a straight line at a predetermined interval. And if, for example, a horn antenna is used as an antenna, the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from each transmitting antenna has directivity, but spreads as it propagates,
It reaches the measurement target point and is reflected here. The reflected electromagnetic wave signals are respectively received by receiving antennas arranged on both sides of the transmitting antenna. Therefore, by adjusting the directivity of each antenna and the arrangement interval thereof in accordance with the measurement distance, it is possible to simultaneously measure the distance to two measurement target points with one transmission antenna and two reception antennas. Furthermore, simultaneous measurement of four measurement points is possible with two transmitting antennas and three receiving antennas.

The branching circuit 23 in the distance meter 20 branches the transmission signal to a plurality of transmitting antennas, and the combining circuit 24 combines the input signals from the plurality of receiving antennas. Can simultaneously measure the distances to a plurality of measurement target points on a straight line. When there are two or more transmitting antennas and two or more receiving antennas, the path through which the reflected signal propagates and is detected is not necessarily only between the adjacent transmitting and receiving antennas. Although a signal may be generated, in such a case, an unnecessary signal is removed by providing a reception gate using a difference in a propagation path or providing a threshold using a difference in a reception level. Like that.

Referring to FIG. 2B, measurement target points A,
The reception time of the reflected signals from B and C will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, it is assumed that two transmitting antennas 1, 3 and two receiving antennas 2, 4 are arranged in a straight line. Now rangefinder 20 transmitting antenna 1 from the receiving antenna 2, the transmission antenna 3, respectively receive the length of the transmission line L ₀₁ to the antenna _{4, L 11, L 02,} L 12. The signals to be detected now are the first transmitting antenna 1 and the first and second transmitting antennas.
, And a signal obtained by a combination of the second transmission antenna 3 and the second reception antenna 4, and a time delay from the transmission time to the reception time of the electromagnetic wave signal obtained by each combination is respectively shown. Assuming that T ₁ , T ₂ and T ₃ , these are given by the following equation (3):
(4) and (5). _{T 1 = (L 01 + L} 11) / v + T A ... (3) T 2 = (L 01 + L 12) / v + T B ... (4) T 3 = (L 02 + L 12) / v + T C ... (5)

Here, T _A , T _B , and T _C are required for the electromagnetic wave signal to propagate the distance from each transmitting antenna in the above combination to each receiving antenna via measurement target points A, B, and C. Time. Also, v is the propagation speed of the electromagnetic wave signal in each transmission path. Therefore the distance measuring circuit 21, the _{(L 01 + L 11),} (L 01 + L 12), (L 02 + L
₁₂ ) By setting the calibration data of each length or the data of the electromagnetic wave propagation time required for the transmission line of these lengths, the distances to the measurement target points A, B, and C can be measured simultaneously. .

Note that, in addition to the signal to be measured, the signal from the second transmitting antenna 3 is reflected and the first receiving antenna 2 , This is an unwanted reflection signal. If the time delay from the transmission time to the reception time in this case is T ₄ , T ₄ is given by the following equation (6). T ₄ = (L ₀₂ + L ₁₁ ) / v + T _D (6) where T _D is the time required for the electromagnetic wave signal to propagate through the propagation path between the transmitting antenna 3 and the receiving antenna 2.
Therefore, in actual measurement, T ₁ of the above equations (3) to (6) is used.
It is necessary to adjust the lengths L ₀₁ , L ₁₁ , L ₀₂ , L ₁₂ of the respective transmission paths so that 4T ₄ does not overlap on the time axis.

Third Embodiment FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numerals 1, 3, and 5 denote transmission antennas, and reference numerals 2, 4, and 6 denote reception antennas. The reception antennas and the transmission antennas are alternately arranged on a straight line at predetermined intervals. In this embodiment, both the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna have an opening size of 30 × 30 mm and a height of 30 mm.
A rectangular horn antenna was used. 7 to 10 are directional couplers, 11 is a waveguide, and 12a to 12f are signal attenuators. A distance meter 20A includes a distance measurement circuit 21, a transmission circuit 22, and a reception circuit 25 therein. The distance meter 20A is obtained by removing the branch circuit 23 and the combining circuit 24 from the distance meter 20 of FIGS.
This is because the directional couplers 7 to 10 in FIG. 3 branch and combine the electromagnetic wave signals. Note that the third embodiment
Used a millimeter distance meter 20A using a millimeter wave having a carrier frequency of 25 GHz as a distance measuring device.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The distance measuring circuit 21 in FIG. 3 is also a circuit for performing multipoint simultaneous distance measurement as in FIGS. The transmission circuit 22 generates a transmission signal having a predetermined pulse width with a millimeter wave having the carrier frequency of 25 GHz in synchronization with a transmission trigger from the distance measurement circuit 21, and transmits the signal through the waveguide 11 in the first direction. Input to the combiner 7. In the present embodiment, the directional couplers 7 to 10 having a coupling degree of -6 dB are used, and of the input signals, the signal branched and coupled at -6 dB is provided with a waveguide and a signal attenuator 12a for adjusting the signal strength. The signal is input to the first transmitting antenna 1 through the first transmitting antenna 1. The passing signal (−3 dB attenuation) from the first directional coupler 7 is input to the second directional coupler 8, and of the input signals, the signal on the coupling branch side (−6 dB attenuation) is output to the waveguide and Input to the second transmitting antenna 3 via the signal attenuator 12b,
The signal on the passing side (-3 dB attenuation) is input to the third transmitting antenna 5 via the waveguide and the signal attenuator 12c.

When the receiving antennas 2, 4, and 6 and the transmitting antennas 1, 3, and 5 are arranged alternately as shown in FIG.
Measurement target points A and B in the transmission radio wave from transmission antenna 1
The reflected waves from the antennas 2 and 4 are received by the receiving antennas 2 and 4, and among the transmission waves from the transmission antenna 3, the reflection waves from the measurement target points C and D are received by the reception antennas 4 and 6, and the transmission waves from the transmission antenna 5 The reflected wave from the measurement target point E is received by the receiving antenna 6.

The received signal from the receiving antenna 6 is input to the passing side of the third directional coupler 9 via the waveguide and the signal attenuator 12f, and the received signal from the receiving antenna 4 is sent to the waveguide and the signal attenuator 12f. The signal is input to the coupling branch side of the third directional coupler 9 via the signal attenuator 12e, where the two signals are combined and output. The signal output from the third directional coupler 9 is input to the pass side of the fourth directional coupler 10, and the signal received from the receiving antenna 2 is transmitted to the waveguide and the signal attenuator 1.
The signal is input to the coupling branch side of the fourth directional coupler 10 via 2d, where the two signals are combined and output and output to the distance meter 20.
A is input to the receiving circuit 25 in A.

The receiving circuit 25 amplifies the input millimeter wave signal, detects each of the received signals reflected from a plurality of measurement target positions included in the received signal, and supplies the signals to the distance measuring circuit 21. The distance measurement circuit 21 determines whether there are a plurality of received signals due to the combination of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna (in FIG. 3, the number of antennas is three for transmission and three for reception, so the possible combination of transmission and reception is 3 × 3 = 9). ), Five combinations of adjacent antennas required (that is, measurement target points A, B,
The reflected signals (from C, D, and E) are selected, and the distance is calculated by measuring the time delay from the transmission time to the reception time for these five signals.

As a measure against unnecessary combination signals among the combinations of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, in an actual apparatus, by adjusting the directivity of the antennas and the arrangement interval of the antennas, the combination of the adjacent antennas is adjusted. Signals other than signals can be suppressed. In the case of the third embodiment, the distance between the antennas is 50 m.
By setting m or more, the level of the unnecessary signal can be suppressed to a negligible level with respect to the detection level (threshold).

According to each of the embodiments of the present invention, the distances to a plurality of different measurement target positions are simultaneously measured by the rangefinders 20 and 20A using one electromagnetic wave signal. For a measurement object whose distance, level, shape or the like changes or a measurement object having a complicated shape, profile measurement at instantaneous multi-point positions can be performed by a low-cost device. In particular, as in the second and third embodiments, the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are alternately arranged on a straight line. In the third embodiment, three transmitting antennas and three receiving antennas are used.
Simultaneous measurement can be performed for five measurement target positions, and an economical multipoint simultaneous distance measurement device can be configured.
In addition, even when the distance between a plurality of measurement target positions is small,
Multi-point simultaneous distance measurement is possible by adjusting the length of each transmission path from the distance meter 20, 20A to each antenna so that signals received from a plurality of measurement target positions do not overlap on the time axis. can do.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, a single electromagnetic wave transmission signal is branched into a plurality of signals, and each of the plurality of branched signals is subjected to a plurality of measurement signals via a plurality of transmission paths and transmission means. A plurality of reflected signals from the plurality of measurement target positions are received by a plurality of receiving units, and the plurality of received signals are combined through a plurality of transmission paths. And combines the signals into a single received signal, receives the combined signal, detects each of the reflected signals from the plurality of measurement target positions included in the received signal, and outputs the single electromagnetic wave transmission signal. The respective times from the transmission time to the reception and reception times of the respective reflected signals from the plurality of detected measurement target positions are measured, and the distances to the plurality of respective measurement target positions are simultaneously determined based on the respective measurement times. Because I measured it,
A low-cost device can perform instantaneous profile measurement at multiple points on a measurement object whose position, distance, level, shape, and the like changes over time or a measurement object having a complicated shape. .

Further, according to the present invention, any one of a plurality of transmission lines for transmitting the plurality of branched electromagnetic wave signals to a plurality of transmission units, or the reception of the plurality of reception units A propagation time delay element is inserted into any one of a plurality of transmission paths for transmitting a signal to the synthesizing means, and each of the signals from the plurality of receiving means in a single received signal synthesized by the synthesizing means. Since the received signals are not superimposed on the time axis, multipoint simultaneous distance measurement can be performed even when the interval between the plurality of measurement target positions is narrow.

Further, according to the present invention, the plurality of transmitting means and the plurality of receiving means are arranged such that each transmitting means and each receiving means are alternately arranged at a constant interval on a straight line, and each adjacent transmitting means is provided. Since the distance measurement is performed at multiple points simultaneously using the wave means and each wave receiving means, it is possible to measure a large number of measurement target positions with a relatively small number of wave transmitting means and wave receiving means. A multi-point simultaneous distance measuring device can be configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multipoint simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 3, 5 Transmitting antenna 2, 4, 6 Receiving antenna 7-10 Directional coupler 11 Waveguide 12a-12f Signal attenuator 15a-15d Transmission line 20, 20A Distance meter 21 Distance measuring circuit 22 Transmitting circuit 23 Branch Circuit 24 Synthesis circuit 25 Receiver circuit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A single electromagnetic wave transmission signal is branched into a plurality of signals,
Each of the plurality of branch signals is transmitted toward a plurality of measurement target positions via a plurality of transmission paths and transmission means, and each of the reflected signals from the plurality of measurement target positions is received by a plurality of reception signals. Receiving a plurality of received signals through a plurality of transmission paths into a combining unit to combine them into a single received signal, and receiving the combined signal and receiving the combined signal. Each reflected signal from each of the plurality of measurement target positions is detected, and the reception time from the transmission time of the single electromagnetic wave transmission signal to the reception time of each reflection signal from each of the plurality of detected measurement target positions is detected. A multi-point simultaneous distance measuring method, wherein time is measured, and distances to the plurality of measurement target positions are simultaneously measured based on the measured times. 2. A transmission path of any one of a plurality of transmission paths for transmitting said plurality of branched electromagnetic wave signals to a plurality of transmission means, or a reception signal of said plurality of reception means to a synthesis means. A propagation time delay element is inserted into any one of a plurality of transmission paths for transmission, and each of the received signals from the plurality of reception units in a single reception signal synthesized by the synthesis unit is time-dependent. 2. The multi-point simultaneous distance measuring method according to claim 1, wherein overlapping is not performed on an axis. 3. The plurality of wave transmitting means and the plurality of wave receiving means are arranged such that each wave transmitting means and each wave receiving means are alternately arranged at a constant interval on a straight line, and each adjacent wave transmitting means and each wave receiving means are arranged in a straight line. 2. The distance measurement at multiple points simultaneously using wave means.
Or the multipoint simultaneous distance measurement method described in 2. 4. A transmitting means for generating a predetermined electromagnetic wave signal and sending it to a branching means directly or via a transmission path, and inputting the electromagnetic wave signal from the transmitting means directly or via a transmission path to branch into a plurality of parts. A plurality of transmitting antennas for inputting a plurality of electromagnetic wave signals output from the branching unit via respective transmission paths and transmitting the signals toward a plurality of measurement target positions, respectively; and A plurality of receiving antennas respectively combined with a transmitting antenna and respectively receiving electromagnetic wave signals reflected from the plurality of measurement target positions, and a plurality of receiving signals respectively received by the plurality of receiving antennas via each transmission path. Combining means for receiving the output signal of the combining means, and a plurality of individual signals included in the received signal. A receiving unit for detecting each of the received signals reflected from the measurement target position; and a reception signal reflected from each of the plurality of measurement target positions detected and received by the receiving unit from the transmission time of the electromagnetic wave signal by the transmission unit. Distance measuring means for measuring each time until the reception time of the plurality, and simultaneously measuring a distance from a combined position of the plurality of transmitting antennas and receiving antennas to a corresponding plurality of measurement target positions based on the measured time. A multipoint simultaneous distance measuring device, comprising: 5. A transmission line between each output of the branching unit and each input of a plurality of transmitting antennas or any transmission line between each output of the plurality of receiving antennas and each input of a combining unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an inserted propagation time delay element, wherein each reception signal from a plurality of reception antennas in a single reception signal synthesized by said synthesis means is not superimposed on a time axis. The multipoint simultaneous distance measuring device as described. 6. The plurality of transmitting antennas and the plurality of receiving antennas are arranged such that the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are alternately arranged at regular intervals on a straight line, and the adjacent transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas are used in combination. The multi-point simultaneous distance measuring apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein distance measurement is performed at multiple points simultaneously.