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Phase sensing and scanning time of flight LADAR using atmospheric absorption bands

  • US 8,279,420 B2
  • Filed: 07/16/2010
  • Issued: 10/02/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the range of the surface of an object comprising the steps of:

  • selecting an atmospheric absorption band in the solar near-IR region defining a solar transmission hole having a predetermined electromagnetic energy absorption characteristic to define a predetermined atmospheric absorption band wavelength,providing an electromagnetic beam having a wavelength substantially equal to the predetermined atmospheric absorption band wavelength,modulating the electromagnetic beam at a predetermined frequency to define a transmitted sine wave having a first phase,illuminating at least a portion of the surface of the object with the transmitted sine wave to define a reflected sine wave having a second phase,electronically receiving the reflection of at least a portion of the reflected sine wave from the surface of the object,calculating the difference in phase between the first phase and the second phase to determine the range of the object.

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