Airborne imaging lidar system employing towed receiver or transmitter

• US 5,231,480 A
• Filed: 10/24/1990
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kaman Aerospace Corporation Old Windsor Road Bloomfield Connecticut 06002-0002
• Original Assignee: Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman Corporation)
• Inventors: Ulich, Bobby L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US07/614,670
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 358/95, 356/4, 356/5, 367/149, 367/130
• US Class Current: 348/31
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging

Abstract

An imaging lidar apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light is presented. The imaging lidar apparatus is mounted on an airborne platform and including light pulse generating means, reflected light pulse detection means and computer control means. A discrete vehicle is towed by a cable connected to the airborne platform. The discrete vehicle houses optics for receiving or transmitting light pulses. Fiber optic communication may be used to transmit the light pulses along the cable between the airborne platform and the towed vehicle.

Claims

1. An imaging lidar apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light, the imaging lidar apparatus being mounted on an airborne platform and including light pulse generating means for generating pulses of light toward a target, gated light pulse detection means for detecting pulses of light reflected form the target and image display means for displaying an image of the detected target, and further including:

a discrete vehicle for housing projecting means for projecting pulses of light generated by said light pulse generating means; and

cable means for attaching the vehicle to the airborne platform and towing the vehicle through the air or water, said cable means including fiber optic means for optically transmitting the pulses of light form said light pulse generating means to said projecting means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said pulses of light are projected by said projecting means toward a target at an angle of less than 180°

with respect to said airborne platform.

3. An imaging lidar apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light, the imaging lidar apparatus being mounted on an airborne platform and including light pulse generating means for generating pulses of light toward a target, gated light pulse detection means for detecting pulses of light reflected form the target and image display means for displaying an image of the detected target, and further including:

a discrete vehicle for housing receiving optics for initially receiving reflected light pulses; and

cable means for attaching the vehicle to the platform and towing the vehicle through the air or water, said cable means including fiber optic means for optically transmitting the pulses of light received form the receiving optics to said gated light pulse detection means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said pulses of light are projected by said projecting means toward a target at an angle of less than 180°

with respect to said airborne platform.

5. An imaging lidar apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light, the imaging lidar apparatus being mounted on an airborne platform and including light pulse generating means, reflected light pulse detection means, image display means for displaying an image of a target detected by the detection means and computer control means and further including:

a discrete vehicle for housing said light pulse generating means;

cable means for attaching the vehicle to the airborne platform and towing the vehicle through the air or water; and

means for transmitting signals between said light pulse generating means and said computer control means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said light pulse generating means includes projecting means and wherein:

pulses of light generated by said light pulse generating means are projected by said projecting means toward a target at an angle of less than 180°

with respect to said airborne platform.

7. An imaging lidar apparatus for detecting and imaging an object enveloped by a backscattering medium which is at least partially transmitting to light, the imaging lidar apparatus being mounted on an airborne platform and including light pulse generating means, reflected light pulse detection means and computer control means and further including:

discrete vehicle for housing said light pulse detection means;

cable means for attaching the vehicle to the airborne platform and towing the vehicle through the air or water; and

means for transmitting signals between said light pulse detection means and said computer control means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

said pulses of light are projected by said projecting means at an angle of less than 180°

toward an object.