Preliminary performance test and comparison of several photodetectors as start detector in SLR system

Abstract

Precision (rms) or accuracy of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) system is the most important value. Now centimeter or millimeter level is the international standard of SLR system. The performance of start detector in the system can contribute to or decide the whole system range precision and accuracy. This part is one of the most important parts for system performance. Certainly, laser pulse width and receiving detector rising time, and constant fraction discriminator (CFD), other electronics can also contribute to the system performance. So choosing a suitable start detector can make system to produce the best results, best performance and to show a great important and high percentage for application. This paper introduces the performance test of several optoelectronic detectors as start detector in SLR system, such as DET210, SV2-FC, Ultrafast-2 and GT106 etc. After showing the photodetectors specific parameters, the performance test results as start detector to range ground target and satellites are presented, and last the results are analyzed and compared.