Imaging LIDAR performance model development and simulation

Abstract

LIDARS involved in space applications are mainly used as atmospheric monitoring sensors or as altimeters (i.e. ALADIN, ATLID, LOLA, MOLA or BELA). In future exploration missions, like the Mars Sample Return mission, LIDARs shall be implemented as imaging and ranging devices for different applications: in the support of the autonomous landing of a spacecraft on a planetary surface; during the deployment of rovers provided with autonomous navigation and hazard avoidance capabilities; and for the support of rendezvous and docking operations between spacecrafts in orbit. The ability to rapidly derive 3-D topographic information is vital for the realization of these missions. We present a recently developed Imaging LIDAR (IL) performance model, which was created in order to simulate and optimize Imaging LIDAR instruments, under various scenarios and applications. The IL performance model is based primarily on the LIDAR equation and takes into account all basic parameters of a LIDAR device, which apparently affect the overall instrument performance, such as the laser power, telescope aperture, detection method, background illumination, range gating etc.

LIDARS involved in space applications are mainly used as atmospheric monitoring sensors or as altimeters (i.e. ALADIN, ATLID, LOLA, MOLA or BELA). In future exploration missions, like the Mars Sample Return mission, LIDARs shall be implemented as imaging and ranging devices for different applications: in the support of the autonomous landing of a spacecraft on a planetary surface; during the deployment of rovers provided with autonomous navigation and hazard avoidance capabilities; and for the support of rendezvous and docking operations between spacecrafts in orbit. The ability to rapidly derive 3-D topographic information is vital for the realization of these missions. We present a recently developed Imaging LIDAR (IL) performance model, which was created in order to simulate and optimize Imaging LIDAR instruments, under various scenarios and applications. The IL performance model is based primarily on the LIDAR equation and takes into account all basic parameters of a LIDAR device, which apparently affect the overall instrument performance, such as the laser power, telescope aperture, detection method, background illumination, range gating etc.