In terms of range, speed, accuracy and reliability for medium range measurement with non-cooperative target, the pulse-phase laser rangefinder is superior to conventional pulsed laser rangefinder and phase-shift laser rangefinder. A high resolution ranging method is described utilizing a novel modulated waveform, hereafter referred to as coherent burst modulation. The laser is sinusoidally modulated for a brief period of time and then is off for a much longer period of time. This burst waveform has benefits compared to a continuous wave emission in that the laser peak power can be very high for measuring long distances, yet the average power can be kept low for eye safety. And more, the pre-amplified optical receiver possessing temperature compensation and feedback resistance noise compensation is designed which is based on the noise spectrum density theory of silicon avalanche-photodiode (Si-APD). The influence of background light, reverse biasing voltage and feedback resistance on the performance of APD detection circuit is analyzed in detail. The experimental results confirm that the method proposed and the optical receiver has obtained the best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) keeping the Si-APD operating under the optimum multiplied condition and improved the detecting sensitivity and measuring distances of the pulse-phase laser rangefinder.