In this paper, a new method to improve the SNR by temporal filtering method in LADAR system using two Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GmAPDs) is proposed. The new method is implemented by using two GmAPDs with beam splitter and employing AND process to their ends. Then, timing circuitry receives the electrical signals only if each GmAPDs generates the electrical signals simultaneously. Though this method decreases the energy of a laser-return pulse scattered from the target, it is highly effective in reducing the false-alarm probability because of the randomly distributed noise on the time domain. Then it needs not any image processing steps. The experiments are performed to prove the advantage of the new method proposed with varying the time bin size. The experimental results represent that the improvement of SNR.

Date Published: 14 May 2012
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 8379, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVII, 83791B (14 May 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.920523

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8379:
Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVII
Monte D. Turner; Gary W. Kamerman, Editor(s)