Ranging and Three-Dimensional Imaging Using Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting and Point-by-Point Acquisition

Author

Buller, Gerald S. ; Wallace, Andrew M.

Author_Institution

Heriot-Watt Univ., Edinburgh

Volume

13

Issue

4

fYear

2007

Firstpage

1006

Lastpage

1015

Abstract

Time-correlated single-photon counting techniques have been applied to time-of-flight ranging and imaging. This article describes recent progress in photon-counting systems performing surface mapping using point-by-point acquisition of noncooperative targets at short ranges of the order of 1-50 m, as well as measurements on distributed targets at longer ranges of the order of a 100 m to a few kilometers. We describe the measurement approach, the signal analysis methodology and algorithm selection.

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; avalanche photodiodes; laser ranging; maximum likelihood estimation; optical radar; photodetectors; photon counting; radar imaging; Markov processes; Monte Carlo methods; avalanche photodiodes; distance 1 m to 50 m; distance 100 m; distance measurement; laser radar; maximum likelihood estimation; noncooperative target; point by point acquisition; three dimensional imaging; time correlated single photon counting; time of flight ranging; Aerospace industry; Defense industry; Laser radar; Metrology; Optical imaging; Optical scattering; Particle scattering; Performance evaluation; Reverse engineering; Time measurement; Avalanche photodiodes; Markov processes; Monte Carlo methods; distance measurement; imaging; laser radar; maximum likelihood estimation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JSTQE.2007.902850

Filename

4301404