A distance measuring method simultaneously measures a distance between a
distance measurement system (10A) and a measurement object (M), and a
relative speed therebetween. In the method, the distance measurement
system sends an electromagnetic wave toward the measurement object as a
traveling wave while changing a frequency thereof. The measurement object
reflects the traveling wave to produce a reflected wave. The traveling
wave and the reflected wave interfere with each other to produce a
standing wave. The distance measurement system detects the amplitude of
the standing wave and produces an amplitude signal representing the
amplitude of the standing wave. Based on the produced amplitude signal,
the distance measuring system derives the distance and the relative speed
between the distance measurement system and the measurement object.