Non-mechanical High-Resolution Low-SWaP Lidar

This Phase I effort will be a proof-of-concept demonstration of a non-mechanical (no moving parts) 3D lidar system that provides in real time high-resolution terrain point cloud information. The objective is to build a compact sensor that meets the low size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements of small autonomous space vehicles, robots and rovers being developed for future NASA planetary and asteroid/comet exploration. The lidar sensor will provide a variable angular resolution of 0.04 degrees by 0.04 degrees to 0.005 degrees by 0.005 degrees with <10cm range precision over an 80 degrees by 80 degrees field of regard and 200 meter range in bright sun light. This will be accomplished using a unique electro-optic scanner that provides the largest angle-aperture product of any commercially-available non-mechanical scanning technology.