Single Pixel FM/CW Range-Only Laser Radar (LADAR)

The main thrust of this proposed effort is to design, develop, and fabricate a low cost, producible, robust and rugged, one pixel, range-only laser radar (Ladar) fuze sensor sufficient to support the safe and reliable delivery of a ballistic round against an intended target. A CW/FW waveform is planned for use to amplitude modulate the laser diode transmitter. The returned optical energy will be detected incoherently with a matched photodiode. The selection of incoherent detection will allow for the use of the inexpensive and robust laser conponents and devices used in commercial barcode readers, compact disks, and communications system. The use of a CW/FM waveform with the proposed ladar ranging system would potentially allow the sensor to be used with the Army's existing ballistic projectile Multi-Option Fuze for Ammunition (MOFA) signal processor. Phase I will provide for a preliminary design for the prototype devices to be fabricated in Phase II. The Phase I Final Report will address estimated cost and producibility of the preliminary design. The development of the proposed technology has the potential to provide significant operating and support cost reductions for sensors used in military operations. Significant potential for the proposed technology exists in comercial applications where inexpensive, short range, high range resolution sensors are required. Collision avoidance and vehicle classification are two requirements for the "Intelligent Highway" which can be addressed by the use of Ladar. Other major opportunities exist in robotics and navigation, mapping and surveying, and many automated assembly and manufacturing processes