Which device uses time of flight to measure distance to a target?

The choice of LIDAR as the device that uses time of flight to measure distance to a target is based on the principle of how LIDAR systems operate. LIDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging, and it utilizes laser pulses to measure the distance to objects.

In a typical LIDAR system, a laser beam is emitted towards a target. The device then measures the time it takes for the laser light to travel to the target and back to the sensor. By knowing the speed of light, the system can accurately calculate the distance based on this time of flight data. This method allows LIDAR to achieve high precision and is particularly effective in various applications, including topographic mapping, autonomous vehicles, and environmental monitoring.

Other devices mentioned in the options utilize different principles. While radar uses radio waves and may incorporate time of flight principles, it fundamentally operates using emitted waves and reflections. Ultrasonic sensors use sound waves rather than laser light and typically work well over shorter distances. GPS relies on satellite signals to triangulate position but does not measure distance in the same way as LIDAR does when calculating the time of flight of laser pulses. Thus, LIDAR stands out as the correct answer for this question regarding measuring distance using