Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed
Abstract
ALIRT is an airborne three-dimensional (3D) imaging laser radar system that can rapidly collect high-resolution maps of wide-area terrain from altitudes up to 9000 meters and decimeter accuracy from altitudes of 3000 meters. MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed (ALIRT) produces images of wide areas quickly -- scanning 2000 sq km per hour -- and has numerous applications for both military and civilian users. ALIRT's ability to collect data from such great altitudes, coupled with its unparalleled data collection rate, enables the system to obtain large amounts of data in a single pass. Maps generated by ALIRT reveal details of both natural structures, such as the Grand Canyon, and man-made structures. These images could not be produced by commercial ladar systems. The Grand Canyon has a depth of nearly 2000 meters, which surpasses the maximum data collection altitude of other ladar systems. In general, data obtained using ALIRT enable answers to geometrical questions. For example, ALIRT enables battlefield situational awareness and reconnaissance, such as identifying landing zones or targets that are obscured; effective emergency response during and after natural disasters (e.g., by assessing viability of helicopter landing zones, migration of survivors, trafficability of routes); and production of detailed topographic maps quickly, further enabling land surveys, flood-plain analyses, earth-science research, and recreational activity such as hiking.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA594035
Entities
People
- Robert Knowlton
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology