Synthesis of Laser Altimeter Waveforms

In Phase I we develop algorithms for extracting accurate reflective-surface information from 3-D flash ladar waveforms. These algorithms are then tested experimentally using existing 3-D flash ladar cameras available at ASC.In Phase II lessons learned in Phase I are used to fabricate a 3-D ladar camera for delivery to the Army, which can be used to generate 3-D mapping at high speed either from an airborne platform or from a terrestrial motor vehicle or from a static tripod.We call this 3-D camera the Combat Terrain Mapping Camera (CTMC). The CTMC laser is eye-safe. The CTMC generates a metrically accurate 3-D map of terrain and structures. The military benefits range from identification of targets through foliage to sensors for remotely piloted vehicles. The commercial benefits range from developing blue prints foras-built civil engineer structures to machine vision and non-contract measurement in manufacturing.