LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) works by emitting rapid laser pulses from a source toward objects or surfaces. These pulses travel at the speed of light, hit the target, and reflect back to a sensor. The system measures the time it takes for each pulse to return, known as the time of flight (TOF), and uses this to calculate the distance to the object based on the formula:

Distance=Speed of light×Time elapsed2\text{Distance}=\frac{\text{Speed of light}\times \text{Time elapsed}}{2}Distance=2Speed of light×Time elapsed​

This process is repeated millions of times per second, creating a detailed 3D map or point cloud of the environment

. Key components of a LiDAR system include:

• A laser scanner that emits pulses and detects the reflected signals.
• A GPS to provide precise location coordinates.
• An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to track the orientation of the device (roll, pitch, yaw)

By analyzing the time delay and intensity of the returned light, LiDAR can determine not only the shape and distance of objects but also distinguish different materials based on how they reflect or absorb the laser light

. LiDAR technology is used in various applications such as autonomous vehicles, environmental mapping, archaeology, forestry, and even in consumer devices like smartphones for augmented reality and 3D modeling

. In summary, LiDAR works by actively sending laser pulses, measuring their return time, and converting that data into precise distance measurements to create high-resolution 3D representations of the surroundings.