Waveform comparison for coherent ladar imaging using a helicopter facet model target

Douglas G. Youmans

doi:10.1117/12.818228

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9 May 2009 Waveform comparison for coherent ladar imaging using a helicopter facet model target

Douglas G. Youmans

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Proceedings Volume 7323, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIV; 732304 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818228
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

A facet model of a helicopter containing 35,000 facets is used to compare coherent ladar waveform performance in precision and in resolution. The helicopter represents a convenient man made object for these tests. Several coherent ladar waveforms have been compared previously applying "range-resolved Doppler and intensity" (RRDI) or "inverse synthetic aperture ladar" (ISAR) algorithms in order to numerically construct an image of the target in slant-range and Doppler frequency spread. The targets are generally at large distances and are much smaller than the diffraction limited laser spot size or the diffraction limited detector's field-of-view. In this study we emphasize the "tangent-FM" waveform and review its performance relative to other waveforms. Note that thousands of facet models of interest are available on the internet and are usually low cost or even free. We also utilized a new "analytic signal" construction, recently published, for a small improvement in the final image quality.

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Douglas G. Youmans "Waveform comparison for coherent ladar imaging using a helicopter facet model target", Proc. SPIE 7323, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIV, 732304 (9 May 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818228

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