Carrier-to-noise ratio for an equal-gain coherent laser radar receiver array system: theory and experiment

Larry C. Andrews; Deborah E. Kelly; Ronald L. Phillips; Arthur Robert Weeks; James E. Harvey; Jing Xu; Chie L. Gagge; Ali Notash; Giovanni Luvera; R. Glenn Sellar

doi:10.1117/12.298052

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15 January 1998 Carrier-to-noise ratio for an equal-gain coherent laser radar receiver array system: theory and experiment

Larry C. Andrews, Deborah E. Kelly, Ronald L. Phillips, Arthur Robert Weeks, James E. Harvey, Jing Xu, Chie L. Gagge, Ali Notash, Giovanni Luvera, R. Glenn Sellar

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3219, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.298052
Event: Aerospace Remote Sensing '97, 1997, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

In this paper, a theoretical comparison is made of the mean carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) for a coherent (heterodyne detection) equal gain (EG) optical array receiver system with that predicted by a conventional single-aperture monolithic coherent detector system. Our analysis shows that the mean CNR for an EG array receiver system improves significantly over that of a single aperture system. Experimental data taken from a recent outdoor experiment over a range up to 1 km between target and transceiver are also presented and compared with the theory for a particular eight-element EG system developed at the University of Central Florida. Optical signals received by the EG receiver array are launched into eight single mode optical fibers. Phase compensation between the individual receivers is accomplished by wrapping the fiber around PZT cylinders that are controlled by phase compensating electronics.

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Larry C. Andrews, Deborah E. Kelly, Ronald L. Phillips, Arthur Robert Weeks, James E. Harvey, Jing Xu, Chie L. Gagge, Ali Notash, Giovanni Luvera, and R. Glenn Sellar "Carrier-to-noise ratio for an equal-gain coherent laser radar receiver array system: theory and experiment", Proc. SPIE 3219, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems II, (15 January 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.298052

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