Frequency-modulated Continuous-wave Lidar Research Articles

FMCW Lidar Using Phase-Diversity Coherent Detection to Avoid Signal Aliasing

A frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar is proposed to avoid signal aliasing in the measurement of distance and velocity. In the transmitter, a lightwave is amplitude-modulated in a Mach-Zehnder modulator by a linear-frequency modulated (LFM) waveform. The modulated light is used as a probe signal. The reflected optical signal beats with a local optical (LO) signal in a phase-diversity coherent optical receiver. The in-phase and quadrature components of the output signal are simultaneously recorded. The distance is extracted from the sum of the squares of the two components, while the velocity is calculated from the ratio of them. An experiment is carried out, in which the real-time distance and velocity of a spinning disk are measured. The proposed method can be used to solve the problems of signal aliasing which may lead to the ambiguity of distance and velocity measurements in traditional FMCW lidars. Moreover, the impacts of optical phase fluctuations are removed from the distance measurement in the proposed method.

Frequency-modulated comb LIDAR

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR (FMCW LIDAR) has been widely used for both scientific and industrial tools. Here, in this report, a new class of LIDAR technique based on an optical frequency comb, named frequency-modulated comb LIDAR (FMcomb LIDAR), is proposed. Instead of using one carrier such as FMCW LIDAR, the multiple carriers from an optical frequency comb are used in FMcomb LIDAR. Because of the correlation between comb modes, each frequency-scanned comb mode can be coherently stitched, thus allowing for a resolution equivalent to scanning by many comb modes while scanning only by the comb mode spacing. In a proof-of-concept experiment, three comb modes from an electro-optic frequency comb (EO comb) are coherently stitched, showing Fourier-transform limited resolution (defined as FWHM linewidth) of 10 ps (i.e., 1.5 mm in air) for about 65 ns delay. The obtained resolution is three-times higher than that of conventional FMCW LIDAR when the same scan range is considered.

Resonant-antiresonant coupled cavity VCSELs.

The wavelength tuning range of a tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is strongly influenced by the design of the interface between the semiconductor cavity and the air cavity. A simplified model is used to investigate the origin of the dramatic differences in free spectral range (FSR) and tuning slope observed in semiconductor cavity dominant, extended cavity, and air cavity dominant VCSELs. The differences arise from the positioning of the resonant and antiresonant wavelengths of the semiconductor cavity with respect to the center wavelength. The air cavity dominant design is realized by designing an antiresonant semiconductor cavity, resulting in a larger tuning slope near the center of the tuning range and a wider FSR toward the edges of the tuning range. The findings from the simplified model are confirmed with the simulation of a full VCSEL structure. Using an air cavity dominant design, an electrically pumped laser with a tuning range of 68.38 nm centered at 1056.7 nm at a 550 kHz sweep rate is demonstrated with continuous wave emission at room temperature. This epitaxial design rule can be used to increase the tuning range of tunable VCSELs, making them more applicable in swept-source optical coherence tomography and frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR systems.

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave LiDAR compressive depth-mapping.

We present an inexpensive architecture for converting a frequency-modulated continuous-wave LiDAR system into a compressive-sensing based depth-mapping camera. Instead of raster scanning to obtain depth-maps, compressive sensing is used to significantly reduce the number of measurements. Ideally, our approach requires two difference detectors. Due to the large flux entering the detectors, the signal amplification from heterodyne detection, and the effects of background subtraction from compressive sensing, the system can obtain higher signal-to-noise ratios over detector-array based schemes while scanning a scene faster than is possible through raster-scanning. Moreover, by efficiently storing only 2m data points from m < n measurements of an n pixel scene, we can easily extract depths by solving only two linear equations with efficient convex-optimization methods.

Frequency-modulated multifunction lidar for anemometry, range finding, and velocimetry—2 Experimental results

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave lidar is evaluated for range finding, velocimetry, and laser anemometry. An original signal processing and waveform calibration for range finding leads to a reduction of computational effort while preserving capability for long-range measurement. Multiple target distance measurement is also demonstrated. For laser anemometry, the aim is to avoid parasitic echoes in the vicinity of a helicopter and to measure the air speed at the shortest distance farther than the rotor-induced turbulent volume around the helicopter. Flight tests of this functionality and vortex ring state warning are demonstrated.

Frequency-modulated multifunction lidar for anemometry, range finding, and velocimetry-1. Theory and signal processing.

Original waveforms and optimized signal processing are proposed for frequency-modulated continuous-wave lidar for range finding, velocimetry, and laser anemometry. For range finding, the aim of this signal processing is to extend lidar range and reduce ambiguities. Moreover, the effect of moderate atmospheric turbulence on lidar efficiency is analyzed for infinite and finite targets, taking into account wind-induced bistatism. For laser anemometry, the aim is to measure air speed at the shortest distance farther than the rotor-induced turbulent volume around the helicopter and to avoid parasitic echoes coming from clouds or hard targets in the vicinity of a helicopter.

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave lidar using I/Q modulator for simplified heterodyne detection

A frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar is demonstrated with heterodyne detection. The lidar transmitter utilizes an electro-optic I/Q modulator for the first time to generate carrier-suppressed and frequency-shifted FM modulation. This eliminates the need for an acousto-optic frequency shifter commonly used in heterodyne lidar transmitters. It also allows the use of a much wider modulation bandwidth to improve the range resolution. The capability of complex optical field modulation of the I/Q modulator provides an additional degree of freedom compared with an intensity modulator, which will benefit future lidar applications.

用于无创血糖检测的调频连续波激光雷达技术理论分析

用于无创血糖检测的调频连续波激光雷达技术理论分析

Linear FMCW Laser Radar for Precision Range and Vector Velocity Measurements

ABSTRACTAn all fiber linear frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) coherent laser radar system is under development with a goal to aide NASA's new Space Exploration initiative for manned and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars. Linear FMCW lidar has the capability of high resolution range measurements, and when configured into a multi-channel receiver system it has the capability of obtaining high precision vector velocity measurements. Precision range and vector velocity data are beneficial to navigating planetary landing pods to the pre-selected site and achieving autonomous, safe soft-landing. This paper discusses the design of a second generation prototype system under development at NASA Langley Research Center and presents preliminary performance data obtained from field experiments.

Phase-noise-limited accuracy of distance measurements in a frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR with a tunable twin-guide laser diode

The realization of a coherent frequency-modulated continuous-wave LIDAR aimed for the accurate measurement of short distances employing a distributed feedback tunable twin-guide laser diode is demonstrated. Theoretical calculations on the ultimate limits in accuracy of distance measurements as determined by the laser phase noise are carried out. A relative accuracy of 8x 10-5 (8 μm) for a single-shot measurement has been achieved at a distance of 10 cm, which is significantly better than expected from the laser linewidth. The results presented here prove the predictions calculated from theory.

Concurrent FM-CW Radar and Lidar Observations of the Boundary Layer

Abstract Boundary layer probing by multiple remote sensors can greatly improve the understanding of processes in this complex region. For this purpose one needs to know the unique information each individual sensor can provide. Two promising boundary layer remote sensors, a microwave, frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FM-CW) radar and a laser radar (lidar), were operated simultaneously to probe a common volume. As expected, the lidar sometimes separately detected aerosol layers, notably cloud bases, and the radar sometimes separately detected refractive layers and insects. Boundaries of aerosol structures were often found to be regions of radar returns such as in layers, convective activity, and breaking waves. In contrast, however, a refractive layer was observed within an apparently well-mixed aerosol layer. The data indicate that the radar may have a characteristic echo which is coincident with cloud and fog tops. This experiment shows that FM-CW radars and lidars can separately sense layering in t...