High Speed Beam Steering Components for Lidar

Boulder Nonlinear Systems (BNS) proposes to pursue development of low size, weight, and power (SWaP) beam scanner technology for entry, descent and landing (EDL) or wind sensing Lidar NASA applications that can redirect the beam of light at 1 kHz (threshold) to 10 kHz (goal) framerates. The prototype scanner will steer to 8 spots over at least a 60o field of regard. BNS will employ their current liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) technology and ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) switches to meet scanner speed and resolution requirements. Advantages of applying BNS’ LCPG and switch component technology specific to the space-based Lidar applications will include accuracy, reliability, and improved SWaP as well as high rate (at least 1 kHz ) scanning. In addition, BNS will develop low SWaP dedicated drive electronics and environmentally test the scanner prototype which will be built in Phase II.

In addition to the Entry, Descent and Landing as well as remote wind sensing application, a low-SWaP beam control system could be used in NASA?s hazard avoidance applications (Docking, Entry, Descent and Landing). The Phase II prototype implementation will serve to demonstrate the beam scanning capability, environmental survivability, as well as optimize size, weight and power. The resultant beam control system will be transitioned to Lidar systems integrators and eventually into a commercial product.

Possible commercial applications include the use of this technology for wind farms, automotive hazard avoidance and headlight steering, and remote sensing.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.