Optoelectronic sensor and method for measuring a distance

Abstract

An optoelectronic sensor () for measuring a distance of an object () in accordance with a time of flight principle comprises a light transmitter () for transmitting a light signal (), a light receiver () for receiving the light signal () after reflection or remission by the object (), the light receiver () having a first plurality of pixel elements () each configured as an avalanche photo diode element biased with a bias voltage greater than a breakdown voltage and thus operated in a Geiger mode in order to trigger an avalanche event upon light reception, a distance measuring unit () having a second plurality of time of flight measuring units () connected to pixel elements () for determining a time of flight between transmission and reception of a light signal, the second plurality being less than the first plurality, switching means () for connecting selected pixel elements () to time of flight measuring units () in a one-to-one fashion, and a pixel selection unit () for determining pixel elements () to be connected by the switching means () based on an intensity measurement.