Characterization of a 32-element linear self-mixing detector array for an FM/cw ladar

William C. Ruff; Keith Aliberti; Mark M. Giza; Paul H. Shen; Barry L. Stann; Michael R. Stead

doi:10.1117/12.476415

29 July 2002 Characterization of a 32-element linear self-mixing detector array for an FM/cw ladar

William C. Ruff, Keith Aliberti, Mark M. Giza, Paul H. Shen, Barry L. Stann, Michael R. Stead

Proceedings Volume 4723, Laser Radar Technology and Applications VII; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.476415
Event: AeroSense 2002, 2002, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is investigating a ladar architecture based on FM/cw radar principles, whereby the range information is contained in the low-frequency mixing product derived by mixing a reference ultra-high frequency (UHF) chirp with a detected, time-delayed UHF chirp. ARL is also investigating the use of unique self-mixing detectors that have the ability to internally detect and down-convert light signals that are amplitude modulated at UHF. When inserted into the ARL FM/cw ladar architecture, the self-mixing detector eliminates the need for wide band transimpedance amplifiers in the ladar receiver thereby reducing both the cost and complexity of the system. ARL has fabricated a 32 element linear array of self-mixing detectors and incorporated it into a breadboard ladar using the ARL FM/cw architecture. This paper discusses the basic theory of detector operation, a description of the breadboard ladar and its components, and presents some fundamental measurements and imagery taken from the ladar using these unique detectors.

Citation Download Citation

William C. Ruff, Keith Aliberti, Mark M. Giza, Paul H. Shen, Barry L. Stann, and Michael R. Stead "Characterization of a 32-element linear self-mixing detector array for an FM/cw ladar", Proc. SPIE 4723, Laser Radar Technology and Applications VII, (29 July 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.476415

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