EO Scanned Micro-LADAR

In this SBIR program we will develop, design and build new scanning based micro-ladar sensors with unprecedented small size, weight, and power (SWaP), thereby enabling scanning ladar deployment on previously inaccessible platforms such as satellites. The system will range out to > 1 km, have high frame rates, high resolution (up to 1000 x 1000), high range accuracy (< 15 cm), weigh only tens of grams, be constructed from space deployable technologies with no-moving parts. The enabling technology for the proposed Micro-LADAR system is a combination of two new electro-optic laser scanning technologies: high speed refractive continuous scanners with a 60°×15° field of view (FOV) and diffractive-waveplate discrete or step-wise scanners to boost the total FOV up to 120°×120°. The results will be a very low-power, long-life (no moving parts), radiation hard, micro-LADAR.

A specific NASA application for Micro-LADAR is for deployment on geosynchronous satellite servicing and refueling missions, such as "Restore". Micro-LADAR will aid with location, alignment, and docking between the servicing satellite and the GEO-satellite to be serviced. Other potential NASA applications include asteroid and space junk rendezvous; both areas of growing significance. Furthermore, situational awareness, terrain mapping, and collision avoidance will be enabled by micro-LADAR deployed on small UAV platforms.

Commercial applications for Micro-LADAR are numerous. In Oil & Gas LADAR is used for dynamic positioning of tankers during docking operations with platforms and for security on oil platforms due to its ability to track vessels and better sensitivity to non-metallic vessels. LIDAR is also being used to measure the length of the drill string. Transportation is a large potential market for Micro-LADAR. It may be used to trigger fixed cameras and measure vehicle speeds. A new application is to mount imaging LADAR under gantries for vehicle profiling and tracking for law enforcement. LADAR is also being used for vehicle separation monitoring, over height warnings, and axle counting. For security markets LADAR can be used to trigger or mark video cameras and as motion sensors they have a much greater range than the current technology. For perimeter security, LADAR is being used to detect, track, image and ID intruders.

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.

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