Laser IMaging And Ranging System (LIMARS): a proof-of-concept experiment

Kevin W. Ayer; William C. Martin; James M. Jacobs; Robert H. Fetner

doi:10.1117/12.59206

1 June 1992 Laser IMaging And Ranging System (LIMARS): a proof-of-concept experiment

Kevin W. Ayer, William C. Martin, James M. Jacobs, Robert H. Fetner

Proceedings Volume 1633, Laser Radar VII: Advanced Technology for Applications; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.59206
Event: OE/LASE '92, 1992, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper presents an imaging scheme for high-resolution 3D characterization of potential targets. The phenomenology exploited is the linear electrooptic effect to produce pixel registered range maps and images. The technique requires illumination using a pulsed laser source. The return signal from the target region is modulated using an electrooptic shuttering device which temporally varies the polarization of the return illumination in a controlled manner. The degree of return signal polarization modulation is proportional to the time of arrival. A dual camera data acquisition system senses the two polarization states as a function of time. The sensed illumination at one camera is ratioed to the other camera illumination. The ratio value is a unique number specific to the relative range of the return for that pixel or pixel region. A critical advantage of this technique is self-normalization since ratioing the pixel intensities discounts the illumination. Simulated imagery is generated using predicted photon statistics based on the characteristics of the experimental set-up. Experimental data is currently being analyzed to determine sensor scheme performance and potential areas of improvement

Citation Download Citation

Kevin W. Ayer, William C. Martin, James M. Jacobs, and Robert H. Fetner "Laser IMaging And Ranging System (LIMARS): a proof-of-concept experiment", Proc. SPIE 1633, Laser Radar VII: Advanced Technology for Applications, (1 June 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.59206

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