Radiometric analysis and simulation of signal power function in a short-range laser radar

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Systems Engineering
• Radiometry and Photometry

Background:

• Designing effective short-range laser radar (ladar) systems requires precise estimation of received signal power.
• Accurate power calculation is dependent on detailed analysis of irradiance distribution on sensors and targets.
• The type of detector significantly influences irradiance distribution and overall system performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the challenge of accurately estimating receiver power in short-range laser radar applications.
• To detail the calculation of the signal power function using principles of radiometry.
• To introduce a software package for simulating optical power transfer based on various parameters.

Main Methods:

• Utilized radiometry principles for calculating the signal power function.
• Analyzed irradiance distribution across sensor and target surfaces.
• Developed a software package for simulating power transfer under diverse optical conditions.

Main Results:

• A method for calculating signal power as a function of measurement distance was established.
• The software simulates power transfer, accounting for irradiance distribution and detector characteristics.
• The simulation tool is versatile, applicable to various laser sources like high-power laser diodes.

Conclusions:

• The presented radiometry-based approach enables accurate power estimation for short-range laser radar.
• The developed software package provides a valuable tool for designing and optimizing laser radar systems.
• The simulation capabilities extend to various laser diode types, enhancing design flexibility.