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To cut out the amount of data that needs to be processed the image frame can be cropped to save only pixel area where the laser dot can be.
Phase-Sensitive Detector (PSD) measurement
PSD method is similar to CMOS but PSD is more accurate only matte or specular surfaces. While with CMOS one can choose the brightest pixel to be the center of the laser beam but with PSD the beam centroid is determined by whole reflected dot. If reflective surface is rough, the beam spreads quite large area and distance is calculated inaccurately. So PSD method suites well for example surveying where one need to use some specular stick anyway at the other end. However, that method is not so good for universal laser meter which is usually used with various materials which are often quite rough.
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