Comparison of Coherent to Incoherent Detection at 2.09 Micrometers Using a Solid State Ladar System

Abstract

A 2.09 LADAR system has been built to compare coherent to incoherent detection. The 2.09 um wavelength is of interest for its high atmospheric transmission and because it is eye safe. The 2.09 um system presented within is capable of either a coherent or incoherent operational mode, is tunable in a small region around 2.09 um, and is being used to look at the statistical nature of the LADAR return pulses for typical glint and speckle targets. In order to compare coherent to incoherent detection the probability of detection will be investigated as the primary performance criterion of interest. The probability of detection is dependent on both the probability of false alarm and the probability density function representing the signal current output from the detector. These probability distributions are different for each detection technique and for each type of target. Furthermore, the probability of detection and the probability of false alarm are both functions of the dominating noise source(s) in the system. A description of the theoretical expectations of this system along with the setup of the LADAR system and how it is being used to collect data for both coherent and incoherent detection will be presented. Coherent detection, Incoherent detection, Lidar ladar.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA277159

Entities

People

  • Jay A. Overbeck

Organizations

  • Wright Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Analyzers
  • Atmospheric Attenuation
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Data Analysis
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Gaussian Distributions
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Optics
  • Probability Distributions
  • Random Variables
  • Warning Systems
  • Waveforms
  • Waveplates

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.