Modeling and comparative study of various detection techniques for FMCW LIDAR using optisystem

Abstract

In this paper we investigated the different detection techniques especially direct detection, coherent heterodyne detection and coherent homodyne detection on FMCW LIDAR system using Optisystem package. A model for target, propagation channel and various detection techniques were developed using Optisystem package and then a comparative study among various detection techniques for FMCW LIDAR systems is done analytically and simulated using the developed model. Performance of direct detection, heterodyne detection and homodyne detection for FMCW LIDAR system was calculated and simulated using Optisystem package. The output simulated performance was checked using simulated results of MATLAB simulator. The results shows that direct detection is sensitive to the intensity of the received electromagnetic signal and has low complexity system advantage over the others detection architectures at the expense of the thermal noise is the dominant noise source and the sensitivity is relatively poor. In addition to much higher detection sensitivity can be achieved using coherent optical mixing which is performed by heterodyne and homodyne detection.