Hybrid Lidar for Object Detection and Identification

The invention in this proposal provides significant improvements for uncooperative submarine periscope detection and identification through the development of a hybrid multi-mode sensor, consisting of a combined direct-detection imaging flash lidar and a micro-Doppler coherent lidar that would dramatically enhance the effectiveness of operational airborne mission instruments. The lidar solution proposed will have a large field-of-view (FOV) active imaging sensor for basic, yet fast, object detection, a high-power transmitter for long range capability, an electro-optical beam steering aperture for a larger collection area/small volume and reliability, and a highly sensitive active interrogation sensor for false alarm mitigation and target identification. While the optical signal and receiving detector(s) are different for the two technologies, significant overlap of components can exist if carefully designed; e.g., common scanner, pump lasers, signal processing hardware, and thermal management. The focus of this project will be to provide a lidar where the wide-beam (near) photon-limited direct detection flash lidar acquires detections and very quickly, in-turn the narrow-beam coherent detection lidar is directed to the detection position to interrogate and confirm/reject those detections as periscope targets. This track-while-scan system with the potential to provide on-location target identification has the ability to be a game-changing US military asset.