Performance Study Of A Coherent Laser Radar

This paper describes the design, calibration and performance of a Cpl coherent laser radar testbed. For calibration purposes, a very precise movable target, resembling the travelling Michelson interferometer commonly adopted in laser wavelength measuring apparatus, has been designed. Different types of targets, e.g. mirrors and diffuse targets have been used to characterize the optical efficiency of the laser radar and the signal fluctuations induced by target surface or turbulence. A number of laser radar images are presented and the target detection problem is discussed in conjunction with these images. By an example using measured atmospheric attenuation statistics, we conclude that a CO2 laser radar can obtain acceptable performance out to 5 - 6 km range during moderate turbulence conditions.