Discrimination of multiple ranges per pixel in 3D flash ladar while minimizing the effects of diffraction

Brian J. Neff; Stephen C. Cain; Richard K. Martin

doi:10.1117/12.891783

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13 September 2011 Discrimination of multiple ranges per pixel in 3D flash ladar while minimizing the effects of diffraction

Brian J. Neff, Stephen C. Cain, Richard K. Martin

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Proceedings Volume 8165, Unconventional Imaging, Wavefront Sensing, and Adaptive Coded Aperture Imaging and Non-Imaging Sensor Systems; 81650J (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.891783
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The goal of this work is to develop an algorithm to enhance the utility of 3D FLASH laser radar sensors through accurate ranging to multiple surfaces per image pixel. Using this algorithm it will be possible to realize numerous enhancements over both traditional Gaussian mixture modeling and single surface range estimation. While traditional Gaussian mixture modeling can effectively model the received pulse, we know that the received pulse is likely corrupted due to optical aberrations from the imaging system and the medium through which it is imaging. Additionally, only identifying a single surface per pulse may result in the loss of valuable information about partially obscured surfaces. Ultimately, this algorithm in conjunction with other recent research may allow for techniques that enhance the spatial resolution of an image, improve image registration and enable the detection of obscured targets with a single pulse.

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Brian J. Neff, Stephen C. Cain, and Richard K. Martin "Discrimination of multiple ranges per pixel in 3D flash ladar while minimizing the effects of diffraction", Proc. SPIE 8165, Unconventional Imaging, Wavefront Sensing, and Adaptive Coded Aperture Imaging and Non-Imaging Sensor Systems, 81650J (13 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.891783

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