Detection performance improvement of photon counting chirped amplitude modulation lidar with response probability correction**Project supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the National Defense Basic Scientific Research, China (Grant No. JCKY2016603C007).

Abstract

Geiger mode avalanche photodiode detector (Gm-APD) possesses the ultra-high sensitivity. Photon counting chirped amplitude modulation (PCCAM) light detection and ranging (lidar) uses the counting results of the returned signal detected by Gm-APD to mix with the reference signal, which makes PCCAM lidar capable of realizing the ultra-high sensitivity, and this is very important for detecting the remote and weak signal. However, Gm-APD is a nonlinear device, different from traditional linear detectors. Due to the nonlinear response of Gm-APD, the counting results of the returned signal detected by Gm-APD are different from those of both the original modulation signal and the reference signal. This will affect the mixing effect and thus degrade the detection performance of PCCAM lidar. In this paper, we propose a response probability correction method. First, the response probability correction model is established on the basis of Gm-APD Poisson probability response model. Then, the response probability correction model is used to adjust the original modulation signal that is used to drive laser, in order to make the counting results of the returned signal detected by Gm-APD better mix with the local reference signal in the same form. Through this method, the detection performance of PCCAM lidar is enhanced efficiently.