Interceptor Seekers

A 128 x 128-format avalanche photodiode (APD) focal plane array (FPA), including a low-power dual-mode readout integrated circuit (ROIC) and low excess noise, high gain (M>1,200) will be developed for laser radar (LADAR) applications requiring reduced SWAP. The FPA gives LADAR seekers an advanced active tracking sensor capability, providing a sufficiently wide field of regard (FOR) to eliminate the need for gimbaled optics or mechanical image stabilization. Illuminator SWAP is reduced through sensitivity to single photons. The use of an APD detector array operating in linear mode will reduce pixel dead time considerably relative to Geiger APD arrays, greatly improving penetration of obscurants and enabling individual pixels to resolve objects closely spaced in range in a single frame. The capacity of linear-mode APDs to measure both time of arrival and signal amplitude will provide target information to support image processing and analysis not available using Geiger-mode FPAs. The ROIC to be developed for this program will manage power consumption, allowing switching between a full-frame search mode and a high-bandwidth tracking mode. By program end, an integrated FPA including the new ROIC and 128 x 128 linear-mode APD array will be demonstrated.