초록 ▼

A laser transmitter is amplitude modulated with a chirp signal to illumin an entire scene or field of view. A mixing process occurs in the received light path using an electro-optic light modulator positioned just in front of the focal plane detector array. The detector array detects and integrates

A laser transmitter is amplitude modulated with a chirp signal to illumin an entire scene or field of view. A mixing process occurs in the received light path using an electro-optic light modulator positioned just in front of the focal plane detector array. The detector array detects and integrates the mixed light signal over some field of view. Numerous image frames are recorded periodically in the time over the FM period. The Fourier transform taken over time for a pixel establishes the range to the target in that pixel. Performing the Fourier transform for all pixels yields a three-dimensional image of objects in the field of view. Such an arrangement yields a scannerless ladar possessing high range resolution with no range ambiguities.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A high range-resolution 3-D imaging ladar comprising:a chirp generator for generating a chirp waveform;a bias tee, coupled to the chirp generator, a DC current source, and a semiconductor laser diode, said bias tee for summing the chirp waveform with the DC current source

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A high range-resolution 3-D imaging ladar comprising:a chirp generator for generating a chirp waveform;a bias tee, coupled to the chirp generator, a DC current source, and a semiconductor laser diode, said bias tee for summing the chirp waveform with the DC current source to provide a current drive for the semiconductor laser diode with a bandwidth at least equal to the chirp waveform;the semiconductor laser diode, coupled to the bias tee, for receiving the current drive and outputting a light signal toward a target; andan electro-optic light modulator, coupled to, and driven by the chirp generator, for receiving and modulating a reflected light signal from the target in accordance with the chirp waveform to output a modulated light signal.