• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Ladar (Laser Detection And Ranging, Lidar) is a sensor to acquire precise distances to the surfaces of target region using laser signals, which can be suitably applied to ATD (Automatic Target Detection) for guided missiles or aerial vehicles recently. It provides a range image in which each measured distance is expressed as the brightness of the corresponding pixel. Since the precise 3D models can be generated from the Ladar range image, more robust identification and recognition of the targets can be possible. If we simulate the data of Ladar sensor, we can efficiently use this simulator to design and develop Ladar sensors and systems and to develop the data processing algorithm. The purposes of this study are thus to simulate the signals of a Ladar sensor based on linear frequency modulation and to create range images from the simulated Ladar signals. We first simulated the laser signals of a Ladar using FM chirp modulator and then computed the distances from the sensor to a target using the FFT process of the simulated signals. Finally, we created the range image using the distances set.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.467-474
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• 2019

Recently, optical phased array(OPA) based laser detection and ranging(LADAR) has gained great interest to replace the traditional mechanical light detection and ranging technique(LiDAR). In OPA-based LADAR, it is well known that phases of laser pulses traveling through each of channels should be the same to obtain a narrow free-space single beam without noise-like ripples in the far field. However, it is difficult to provide such ideal condition due to the fabrication errors. To tackle this problem, any algorithms should be necessary to compensate the initial random phases of each channel in OPA antenna. In this paper, we propose a hill-climbing based phase calibration algorithm and evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.176-183
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• 2013

In this paper, we report the design, fabrication and characterization of the 3-Dimensional optical receiver for a Laser Detection And Ranging (LADAR) system. The optical receiver is composed of three parts; $16{\pm}16$ Geiger Mode InGaAs Avalanche Photodiode (APD) array device operated at 1560 nm wavelength, Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) measuring the Time-Of-Flight (TOF) of the return signal reflected from target objects, a package and cooler maintaining the proper operational condition of the detector and control electronics. We can confirm that the LADAR system can detect the signal from a target up to 1.2 km away, and it showed low Dark Count Rate (DCR) of less than 140 kHz, and higher than 28%-Photon Detection Efficiency (PDE). This is considered to be the best performance of the $16{\pm}16$ FPA APD optical receiver for a LADAR system.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1246-1253
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• 2009

To be high efficient for a navigation of unmanned ground vehicle, it must be able to distinguish between safe and hazardous regions in its immediate environment. We present an advanced method using laser range finder for building global 2D digital maps that include environment information. Laser range finder is used for mapping of obstacles and driving environment in the 2D laser plane. Rotary encoders are used for localization of UGV. The main contributions of this research are the development of an algorithm for global 2D map building and it will turn a UGV navigation based on map matching into a possibility. In this paper, a map building algorithm will be introduced and an assessment of algorithm reliability is judged at an each environment.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.539-543
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• 2005

The research presented in this paper enables real-time 3D modeling to help make construction processes ultimately faster, more predictable and safer. Initial research efforts used an emerging sensor technology and proved its usefulness in the acquisition of range information for the detection and efficient representation of static and moving objects. Based on the time-of-flight principle, the sensor acquires range and intensity information of each image pixel within the entire sensor's field-of-view in real-time with frequencies of up to 30 Hz. However, real-time working range data processing algorithms need to be developed to rapidly process range information into meaningful 3D computer models. This research ultimately focuses on the application of safer heavy equipment operation. The paper compares (a) a previous research effort in convex hull modeling using sparse range point clouds from a single laser beam range finder, to (b) high-frame rate update Flash LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) scanning for complete scene modeling. The presented research will demonstrate if the FlashLADAR technology can play an important role in real-time modeling of infrastructure assets in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

In this paper, we report design, fabrication and characterization of the WBRM (Wide Band Receiver Module) for LADAR (LAser Detection And Ranging) application. The WBRM has been designed and fabricated using self-made APD (Avalanche Photodiode) and TIA (Trans-impedance Amplifier). The APD and TIA chips have been integrated on 12-pin TO8 header using self-made ceramic submount and circuit. The WBRM module showed 450 ps of rise time, and corresponding 780 MHz bandwidth. Furthermore, it showed very low output noise less than 0.8 mV, and higher SNR than 15 for 150 nW of MDS(Minimum Detectable Signal). To the author's knowledge, this is the best performance of an optical receiver module for LIDAR fabricated by 200 um InGaAs APD.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.82-90
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• 2014

In this paper, a couple of 4-channel differential transimpedance amplifier arrays are realized in a standard 0.18um CMOS technology for the applications of linear LADAR(laser detection and ranging) systems. Each array targets 1.25-Gb/s operations, where the current-mode chip consists of current-mirror input stage, a single-to-differential amplifier, and an output buffer. The input stage exploits the local feedback current-mirror configuration for low input resistance and low noise characteristics. Measurements demonstrate that each channel achieves $69-dB{\Omega}$ transimpedance gain, 2.2-GHz bandwidth, 21.5-pA/sqrt(Hz) average noise current spectral density (corresponding to the optical sensitivity of -20.5-dBm), and the 4-channel total power dissipation of 147.6-mW from a single 1.8-V supply. The measured eye-diagrams confirms wide and clear eye-openings for 1.25-Gb/s operations. Meanwhile, the voltage-mode chip consists of inverter input stage for low noise characteristics, a single-to-differential amplifier, and an output buffer. Test chips reveal that each channel achieves $73-dB{\Omega}$ transimpedance gain, 1.1-GHz bandwidth, 13.2-pA/sqrt(Hz) average noise current spectral density (corresponding to the optical sensitivity of -22.8-dBm), and the 4-channel total power dissipation of 138.4-mW from a single 1.8-V supply. The measured eye-diagrams confirms wide and clear eye-openings for 1.25-Gb/s operations.