Project Title:

Lidar Receiver and High Speed Data Acquisition Electronics

94-1	08.03	1661		

Lidar Receiver and High Speed Data Acquisition Electronics

Abstract:

This proposal is for the phase I design (and anticipated phase II 
development) of receiver electronics, analog signal processing and 
digital waveform quantization circuitry needed for the next 
generation of active laser sensors. Our program will innovatively 
combine novel circuit topology with advanced, recently de-
classified active elements to achieve a quantum leap in 
functionality and performance. These new circuits will become 
critical enabling elements for an entire new class of light-weight, 
low-power lidar remote sensing instruments. Their performance is 
central to the primary functions of signal detection, low-noise 
amplification and high-speed digitization that are common to all 
lidar systems. 
Highlights of the circuit design activities planned for phase I 
include the preparation of schematic diagrams and parts lists, 
comprehensive circuit performance analyses, preparation of timing 
diagrams, preliminary packaging surveys presenting board sizes and 
mass estimates, and a generalized example lidar subsystem block 
diagram illustrating the application of the new receiver elements 
and their recommended integration with a laser transmitter, command 
and control and data interfaces, power management and subsystem 
timing and control circuits. 

OCA is currently organizing a consortium of private industries, the 
US Environmental Protection Agency, Cal EPA, NIST and other 
interested parties in a concerted effort to commercialize lidars 
for remote environmental monitoring of multi-stack industrial 
emissions. Remote sensing is also entering the commercial sector 
through our support to private companies like World View who are 
producing commercial satellite systems for terrestrial observation 
and recording. OCA anticipates that our lidar research and 
development programs may eventually result in business 
opportunities that exceed tens of millions of dollars in annual 
sales. Both private industries and private "watchdog" agencies will 
have interest in such remote sensing applications. 

Key Words

OCA Applied Optics
7421 Orangewood Ave.,
Garden Grove, CA 92641