The time-of-flight estimation accuracy versus digitization parameters

Abstract

The accuracy of the time delay estimation using the direct correlation technique has been theoretically calculated.
The random errors of the time delay estimation in digital ultrasonic measurement systems have been studied. The techniques for the time-of-flight (ToF) estimation have been discussed. The theoretical equations for analog and discrete case are presented. Numerical simulation has been carried out. The ToF estimation was performed using the direct correlation technique. Numerical simulation analyzed the influence of additive white Gaussian noise power spectral density, ultrasonic signal bandwidth, carrier frequency, analog-to-digital converter sampling frequency and resolution.