An Ultra-Compact, Man-Portable FLASH Laser Radar system

Sensors Unlimited will develop and deliver a portable flash laser radar system in the eye-safe 1.54 micron wavelength band. The system will consist of an InGaAs avalanche photodiode based focal plane array with a novel in-pixel digitized architecture. The system will display range and return intensity data for 320x256 pixels across a 40 degree field of view. The maximum number of laser shots required to image a 40 degree field of view for all 320x256 pixels using a compact 4 mJ 1.54 micron laser source will be four. During Phase I we will develop the single pixel readout integrated circuit architecture to accommodate both the range resolution and intensity goals. The pixel will be modeled and fabricated using the MOSIS prototyping service in Phase I. During Phase II, the fabricated pixel will be evaluated, and spun into a full 320x256 or scanned 320x64 focal plane array as dictated by the modeling in Phase I. We will field test the camera in a "flash LADAR" system that is man portable with a minimum 4 mJ, < 5 ns pulse eye-safe laser that is suitable for transport by a single soldier.