Adaptive Waveform Solid-State Coherent LADAR Array Imager

A novel, adaptive waveform coherent LADAR concept is proposed to provide a robust sensor capability to meet Air Force objectives. The LADAR operates at an eyesafe solid-state wavelength in order to achieve a compact, rugged design capable of stand-off ranges of 20 km or more. Simultaneous precision range, Doppler and micro-Doppler target signatures are extracted with an extremely efficient processing architecture. Range resolution of one foot with simultaneous velocity precision better than 1 mm/sec are expected. Target ID can be performed with such imagery to a relatively high degree of fidelity because of the inherent spatial scale information that it provides. Additional target pixels can be accessed through the vibration signature that can be produced with the base waveform and its higher order variants. The novel coherent LADAR is proposed rather than a conventional direct detection LADAR as the former provides significant payoffs in sensitivity at long ranges, used lowpower transmitters, and can access both range and vibration signature discriminants. The Phase I program will examine several Air Force scenarios of mutation and associated processing of the general pulse format for the scenario in question. The range and Doppler processing algorithms will be evaluated relative to their potential for on-chip implementation in 8x8 to 32x32 pixel arrays for flood illumination imaging. A preliminary sensor design, incorporating imaging array concepts, will be established for development and demonstration in Phase II.