Geoscience laser ranging system design and performance predictions

Kent L. Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.45842

1 September 1991 Geoscience laser ranging system design and performance predictions

Kent L. Anderson

Proceedings Volume 1492, Earth and Atmospheric Remote Sensing; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.45842
Event: Orlando '91, 1991, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The geoscience laser ranging system (GLRS) will be a high-precision distance-measuring instrument planned for deployment on the EOS-B platform. Its primary objectives are to perform ranging measurements to ground targets to monitor crustal deformation and tectonic plate motions, and nadir-looking altimetry to determine ice sheet thicknesses, surface topography, and vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols. The system uses a mode-locked, 3- color Nd:YAG laser source, a microchannel plate-PMT for absolute time-of-flight (TOF) measurement (at 532 nm), a streak camera for TOF 2-color dispersion measurement (532 nm and 355 nm), and a Si avalanche photodiode for altimeter waveform detection (1064 nm). The performance goals are to make ranging measurements to ground targets with about 1 cm accuracy, and altimetry height measurements over ice with 10 cm accuracy. This paper presents an overview of the design concept developed during a phase B study, under contract to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. System engineering issues and trade studies are discussed, with particular attention to error budgets and performance predictions.

Citation Download Citation

Kent L. Anderson "Geoscience laser ranging system design and performance predictions", Proc. SPIE 1492, Earth and Atmospheric Remote Sensing, (1 September 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.45842

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