The Super-resolution Sensor System (S³) program is an ambitious effort to exploit the maximum information a laser-based sensor can obtain. At Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies (LMCT), we are developing methods of incorporating multi-function operation (3D imaging, vibrometry, polarimetry, aperture synthesis, etc.) into a single device. The waveforms are matched to the requirements of both hardware (e.g., optical amplifiers, modulators) and the targets being imaged. The first successful demonstrations of this program have produced high-resolution, three-dimensional images at intermediate stand-off ranges. In addition, heavy camouflage penetration has been successfully demonstrated. The resolution of a ladar sensor scales with the bandwidth as dR = c/(2B), with a corresponding scaling of the range precision. Therefore, the ability to achieve large bandwidths is crucial to developing a high-resolution sensor. While there are many methods of achieving the benefit of large bandwidths while using lower bandwidth electronics (e.g., an FMCW implementation), the S³ system produces and detects the full waveform bandwidth, enabling a large set of adaptive waveforms for applications requiring large range search intervals (RSI) and short duration waveforms. This paper highlights the combined three-dimensional imaging and vibrometry demos.

Date Published: 7 November 2007
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 6739, Electro-Optical Remote Sensing, Detection, and Photonic Technologies and Their Applications, 67390F (7 November 2007); doi: 10.1117/12.738654

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6739:
Electro-Optical Remote Sensing, Detection, and Photonic Technologies and Their Applications
Gary W. Kamerman; Keith A. Krapels; John C. Carrano; Arturas Zukauskas; Ove K. Steinvall; Keith L. Lewis; Keith A. Krapels, Editor(s)