TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 495 Mine Warfare Program Office, AN/AQS-20A and ALMDS, ACAT II

OBJECTIVE: Develop a novel hardware and software solution for integrating a readout integrated circuits (ROIC)-based laser imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR) camera into the AN/AQS20 electro-optic identification (EOID) and Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) sensors.

DESCRIPTION: The Streak Tube Imaging LIDAR for Electro-optic Identification (STIL-EOID) sensor has been successfully integrated into underwater and airborne sensors by the Navy for mine detection. However, new technologies are desired to reduce size, complexity and cost to support the transition from manned to unmanned system operation. Recent developments in fast readout integrated circuits (ROIC) have proven the technology for use in small 3-D flash LIDAR cameras and show promise for use in a lidar for underwater and airborne mine detection. However, technical innovations must be made in order to yield a larger 3-D flash LIDAR camera that is capable of meeting all of the requirements for these two mine detection systems. These innovations include novel approaches to reduce sensor noise, increasing the readout times of the camera, and increasing the fill factor. The new lidar receiver must fit inside the current EOID and ALMDS envelopes, cost less, and have comparable performance. The sensor must be rugged for operation attached directly to a helicopter or towed behind. Data will provide co-ordinates of mine-like objects detected and data collection will be at 400 Hz. Ultimately, this sensor would be transitioned to unmanned underwater and airborne mine countermeasures systems requiring even smaller packaging.

PHASE I: Select sensor technology and determine specifications and requirements for the LIDAR camera. Create preliminary system designs for AQS20 and ALMDS, including approximate cost and estimated performance.

PHASE II: Construct and test a working prototype LIDAR camera for technology proof of concept. Develop system receiver design for integrating sensor into the AQS20 EOID hull and the ALMDS pod.

PHASE III: Final sensor will be produced and integrated into the AQS20 EOID and ALMDS POD for validation testing. Testing would also include environmental qualification testing to ensure that sensor meets military specification requirements.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Any electro-optic sensor using streak tube imaging technology (or any other low-light amplification technique) could potentially use this technology.

REFERENCES:
1. Swartz, B. A., J. D. Cummings, "Laser range gated underwater imaging including polarization discrimination", Underwater Imaging: Photography and Visibility, SPIE V. 1537, 1991

2. Ulich, B. L., P. Lacovara, S. E. Moran, M. J. DeWeert, "Recent results in imaging lidar", Advances in Laser Remote Sensing for Terrestial and Hydrographic Applications, SPIE V. 3059, April 1997

3. Strand, M. P., "Underwater Electro-Optic System for Mine Identification", Naval Research Reviews, 1997

4. McLean, J. W., J. D. Freeman, R. E. Walker, "Beam Spread Function with Time Dispersion", Applied Optics V37, No 21, 20 July 1998.

5. Walker, R. E. and McLean, J. W., "Lidar equations for turbid media with pulse stretching", Applied Optics V38, No. 12, 20 April 1999

6. McLean, J. W. and R. E. Walker, "Lidar equations for turbid media with pulse stretching", Airborne and in-Water Underwater Imaging, SPIE V 3761, July 1999.

7. McLean, J. W. "High Resolution 3-D Underwater Imaging"

KEYWORDS: sensor; LIDAR; camera; imaging; mine countermeasures; STIL

TPOC: Peter Adair
Phone: (850)234-4080
Fax: (850)234-4858
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Jack Lloyd
Phone: (850)234-4994
Fax: (850)235-5751
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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