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General Principles of Laser Altimetry and Radars
ATI's Space Based Laser Systems course
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Summary:
This two-day short course reviews the
underlying technology areas used to construct
and operate space-based laser altimeters and
laser radar systems. The course presents
background information to allow an appreciation
for designing and evaluating space-based laser
radars.
Fundamental descriptions are given for direct-detection
and coherent-detection laser radar
systems, and, details associated with space
applications are presented. System requirements
are developed and methodology of system
component selection is given. Performance
evaluation criteria are developed based on
system requirements. Design considerations for
space-based laser radars are discussed and case
studies describing previous and current space
instrumentation are presented. In particular, the
development, test, and operation of the NEAR
Laser Radar is discussed in detailed to illustrate
design decisions.
Emerging technologies pushing next-generation
laser altimeters are discussed, the use
of lasers in BMD and TMD architectures are
summarized, and additional topics addressing
laser radar target identification and tracking
aspects are provided. Fundamentals associated
with lasers and optics are not covered in this
course, a generalized level of understanding is
assumed.
Instructor:
Who Should Attend:
Engineers, scientists, and technical managers interested in
obtaining a fundamental knowledge of the technologies and system
engineering aspects underlying laser radar systems. The course
presents mathematical equations (e.g., link budget) and design rules
(e.g., bi-static, mono-static, coherent, direct detection
configurations), survey and discussion of key technologies employed
(laser transmitters, receiver optics and transducer, post-detection
signal processing), performance measurement and examples, and an
overview of special topics (e.g., space qualification and operation,
scintillation effects, signal processing implementations) to allow
appreciation towards the design and operation of laser radars in
space.
Course Outline:
- Introduction to Laser Radar Systems. Definitions Remote
sensing and altimetry, Space object identification and tracking.
- Review of Basic Theory. How Laser Radar Systems Function.
- Direct-detection systems. Coherent-detection systems, Altimetry
application, Radar (tracking) application, Target identification
application.
- Laser Radar Design Approach. Constraints, Spacecraft
resources, Cost drivers, Proven technologies, Matching instrument
with application.
- System Performance Evaluation. Development of laser radar
performance equations, Review of secondary considerations,
Speckle, Glint, Trade-off studies, Aperture vs. power, Coherent vs.
incoherent detection, Spacecraft pointing vs. beam steering optics.
- Laser Radar Functional Implementation. Component
descriptions, System implementations.
- Case Studies. Altimeters, Apollo 17, Clementine, Detailed study
of the NEAR laser altimeter design & implementation, selection
of system components for high-rel requirements, testing of space-based
laser systems, nuances associated with operating space-based
lasers, Mars Global Surveyor, Radars, LOWKATR (BMD
midcourse sensing), FIREPOND (BMD target ID), TMD/BMD
Laser Systems, COIL: A TMD Airborne Laser System (TMD
target lethal interception).
- Emerging Developments and Future Trends. PN coding, Laser
vibrometry, Signal processing hardware Implementation issues.
Tuition:
Tuition for this two-day course is $1040 per person at one of our scheduled public courses. Onsite pricing is available. Please call us at 410-956-8805 or send an email to ati@ATIcourses.com.
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Timothy D. Cole is a leading authority with
21 years of experience exclusively working in
electro-optical systems as a systems and design
engineer. He has presented technical papers
addressing space-based laser altimetry all over
the US and Europe. His industry experience has
been focused on the systems engineering and
analysis associated development of optical
detectors, exoatmospheric sensor design and
calibration, and the design, fabrication and
operation of the Near-Earth Asteroid
Rendezvous (NEAR) Laser Radar.