<title>Ladar scene generation techniques for hardware-in-the-loop testing</title>

Abstract

LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) as its name implies uses laser-ranging technology to provide information regarding target and/or background signatures. When fielded in systems, LADAR can provide ranging information to on board algorithms that in turn may utilize the information to analyze target type and range. Real-time closed loop simulation of LADAR seekers in a hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) facility can be used to provide a nondestructive testing environment to evaluate a system's capability and therefore reduce program risk and cost. However, in LADAR systems many factors can influence the quality of the data obtained, and thus have a significant impact on algorithm performance. It is important therefore to take these factors into consideration when attempting to simulate LADAR data for Digital or HWIL testing. Some of the factors that will be considered in this paper include items such as weak or noisy detectors, multi-return, and weapon body dynamics. Various computer techniques that may be employed to simulate these factors will be analyzed to determine their merit in use for real-time simulations.