Scannerless Imaging Laser Radar

Laser radar (LADAR) is an emerging technology with the inherent ability to rapidly acquire high resolution range data day or night. Unfortunately current LADAR ranging techniques require an intense, focused beam that is mechanically scanned over a field of view. Mechanical scanning limits the data rate, is weight- and cost-prohibitive for many applications, and can be failure-prone. Scanned range imagery is also susceptible to motion-included distortion, and the high active emissions for scanned LADAR's are undesirable for covert applications and eye safe operation. These systems therefore do not meet the demanding performance requirements of critical military and commercial missions in reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, navigation, and collision avoidance. Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) proposes to conduct a laboratory demonstration to verify the ability of its patented scannerless LADAR technology to acquire "snapshot" images without moving parts, while using eve safe active emissions This demonstration will provide the basis for development of a highly reliable system capable of capturing crisp, high resolution range images under the most demanding high speed, covert operations.