L2M NSERC - Coherence-based LiDAR

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Laser imaging, Detection, and Ranging (LiDAR) technology is used for many applications including topographical surveying, velocity measurement, target-detection, and more recently for detecting small obstructions for autonomous navigation, as well as monitoring sea levels in the face of climate change. Typically, LiDAR systems operate in the high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) regime. Meaning, bright laser pulse energies are required to overcome ambient noise (daylight) for the reliable detection of reflected signal. There is a need for LiDAR systems capable of operating at lower laser energies. First and foremost, this will help in covert operations, where a bright laser source could reveal the position of the sensor, or interfere with imaging systems. Capability to operate at lower signal levels also enables a wider angle of view and longer ranges. So far, using lower-powered lasers has been a major technical challenge for conventional LiDAR systems as they would no longer operate in a high-SNR regime. The ambient optical noise floods the weak signal and makes detection nearly impossible. Our research team has designed and demonstrated a low-SNR LiDAR system which cancels out noise and enhances the signature of the laser signal. The latest technology available for long-range target-detection uses laser powers in the range of watts to kilowatts. This high intensity of light is used in order to enable reliable detection of reflected light. For covert operation, the goal is to disable detection by external parties of the very same bright light. Our technology operates at milliwatt level, meaning it is hard to detect the light in the first place, but at the same time achieves a noise cancellation to increase the SNR. To our knowledge, no other vendor provides a similar solution.