Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-fvjsw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-15T22:13:33.913Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Linear FMCW Laser Radar for Precision Range and Vector Velocity Measurements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Diego Pierrottet,
Farzin Amzajerdian,
Larry Petway,
Bruce Barnes,
George Lockard and
Manuel Rubio
Diego Pierrottet
Affiliation:
diego.f.pierrottet@nasa.gov, Coherent Applications, Inc., CAI, 101-C Research Dr, Hampton, VA, 23669, United States, 7578503508
Farzin Amzajerdian
Affiliation:
f.amzajerdian@nasa.gov, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 468, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States
Larry Petway
Affiliation:
lpetway@nasa.gov, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 468, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States
Bruce Barnes
Affiliation:
bbarnes@nasa.gov, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 468, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States
George Lockard
Affiliation:
glockard@nasa.gov, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 468, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States
Manuel Rubio
Affiliation:
mrubio@nasa.gov, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 468, Hampton, VA, 23681, United States
Get access

Abstract

An all fiber linear frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) coherent laser radar system is under development with a goal to aide NASA's new Space Exploration initiative for manned and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars. Linear FMCW lidar has the capability of high resolution range measurements, and when configured into a multi-channel receiver system it has the capability of obtaining high precision vector velocity measurements. Precision range and vector velocity data are beneficial to navigating planetary landing pods to the pre-selected site and achieving autonomous, safe soft-landing. This paper discusses the design of a second generation prototype system under development at NASA Langley Research Center and presents preliminary performance data obtained from field experiments.

Keywords

lasersensoroptoelectronic

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

REFERENCES

1. Skolnik, M.I., “Introduction to Radar Systems” 2nd ed., (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1980).Google Scholar
2. Saunders, W.K., “Post War Developments in Continuous-Wave and Frequency Modulated Radar,” IRE Trans., vol ANE-8, pp. 7–19, March 1961.Google Scholar
3. Kachelmyer, A.L. “Range-Doppler imaging: wave-forms and receiver design,” Proc. SPIE, 999, 138–161 (1988).Google Scholar
4. Jelalian, A.V., “Laser Radar Systems,” (Artech House, Massachusetts, 1992).Google Scholar
5. Space Studies Board, National Research Council, New Frontiers in the Solar System – An Integrated Exploration Strategy, (National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 2003).Google Scholar
6. Golombek, M.P., Cook, R.A., et al. , “Overview of the Mars Pathfinder Mission and Assessment of Landing Site Predictions,” Science Magazine, 278, 1743–1748, December 5, 1997.Google Scholar
7. Wong, E.C., et al. ,, “Autonomous Guidance and Control Design for Hazard Avoidance and Safe Landing on Mars”, AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit 5-8, 4619, Monterey, California, August 2002.Google Scholar
8. Pierrottet, D.F., et al. , “Development of an All-Fiber Coherent Laser Radar for Precision Range and Velocity Measurements”, Materials Research Society, San Francisco, California 2005.Google Scholar
9. Karlsson, C.J, et al. , “Linearization of the frequency sweep of a frequency-modulated continuous-wave semiconductor laser radar and the resulting ranging performance”, Appl. Opt., 38 (15), May 1999.Google Scholar
10.>Pierrottet, D.F., et al. , “Characterization of 3-D imaging lidar for hazard avoidance and autonomous landing on the Moon”, Proc. SPIE, Orlando, Florida, April 2007 Pierrottet,+D.F.,+et+al.+,+“Characterization+of+3-D+imaging+lidar+for+hazard+avoidance+and+autonomous+landing+on+the+Moon”,+Proc.+SPIE,+Orlando,+Florida,+April+2007>Google Scholar