Scannerless laser range imaging using loss modulation

Details Scannerless laser range imaging using loss modulation Scannerless laser range imaging using loss modulation

2011-08-09

2011-08-09

Tarcza, Thomas H (Department: 3662)

Optics: measuring and testing

Range or remote distance finding

With photodetection

C356S005010, C356S005040

Reexamination Certificate

active

07995191

ABSTRACT:
A scannerless 3-D imaging apparatus is disclosed which utilizes an amplitude modulated cw light source to illuminate a field of view containing a target of interest. Backscattered light from the target is passed through one or more loss modulators which are modulated at the same frequency as the light source, but with a phase delay δ which can be fixed or variable. The backscattered light is demodulated by the loss modulator and detected with a CCD, CMOS or focal plane array (FPA) detector to construct a 3-D image of the target. The scannerless 3-D imaging apparatus, which can operate in the eye-safe wavelength region 1.4-1.7 μm and which can be constructed as a flash LADAR, has applications for vehicle collision avoidance, autonomous rendezvous and docking, robotic vision, industrial inspection and measurement, 3-D cameras, and facial recognition.

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