What is a laser range sensor?

A laser diode first emits a laser pulse at the target. After reflection from the target the laser light is scattered in all directions. Some of the scattered light is returned to the sensor receiver, where it is picked up by the optical system and imaged on the >. An avalanche photodiode is an optical sensor with internal amplification so that it can detect extremely weak light signals. The distance to the target is determined by recording and processing the time elapsed from when the light pulse is emitted to when it returns to be received.