Miniature Ground Mapping LADAR, Phase I

System & Processes Engineering Corporation (SPEC) proposes a miniature solid state surface imaging LADAR, for imaging the landing areas providing precision surface profile and range to impact. The LADAR utilizes an advanced hybridized detector Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) single chip solution that supports an integrated detector and ROIC configuration enabling a single chip LADAR receiver solution capable of operating at multiple wavelengths. This single chip receiver is combined with multiple laser diodes to give a miniature flash LADAR with high frame rates, 3mm range accuracy, low power draw and small data frames (100x smaller than typical LIDARS). The LADAR provides the range and amplitude of the first three targets encountered in each pixel, giving the ability to detect subpixel rocks and craters without overwhelming data rates or image processing. The integrated Micro Channel Plate (MCP) allows ultra high receiver sensitivity, with high gain and wavelength flexibility by changing the photo cathode materials. The use of a MCP with CMOS chip anode pickup pixels, allows the chip to be vertically integrated using a standard CMOS process, the pickup anode on the top layer, the sample and holds and amplifiers below. More »