Direct Detection Ladar Pulse Processing

ABSTRACT: Arete Associates proposes development of a novel ladar receiver in the combined Phase I and Phase II program. Arete will design and build a receive module for LADAR that captures target returns as well as a"copy"of the outgoing pulse. Collection of the outgoing pulse provides additional information for advanced signal processing. The module will be built with programmable real-time on-board processing. As a result modern signal processing techniques can be exploited to improve range accuracy, probability of detection and reduce false alarm rates. In addition Arete will provide software tools to program the onboard processor; develop a set of"factory"processor images to address several generic customer objectives; develop software to interact with the hardware so that the user will be able to collect, process and store the data products. In Phase I, Arete will develop a system design using a combination of modeling and simulation tools to investigate design trade-offs, develop signal processing algorithms and forecast system performance. In Phase II, Arete will produce a brassboard prototype of the receiver. The brassboard will be designed to augment ladar development research in the laboratory while demonstrating functionality and SWAP appropriate to ISR and seeker applications. BENEFIT: Development of a low SWAP ladar receiver has many applications in defense and commercial applications. High dynamic range real-time receivers are appropriate for both seeker and ISR missions that utilize small UAV"s. Successful completion of this SBIR effort will result in demonstration of a brassboard system that is readily adapted to multiple products to support DOD applications.