Self-calibrated free-running dual-comb ranging using subsampled repetition frequency information

•A simplified free-running dual-comb ranging system without extra repetition frequency detection and frequency counter is first demonstrated.•Environment-shared dual-comb source enables long-term aliasing-free dual-comb measurement in several hours.•Subsampled repetition frequency information within interferograms is extracted for calibrating the time axis.•Absolute distance measurement with high precision, wide ambiguous range and high speed can be achieved.