Systems Engineering - ATI

Space-Based Laser Systems
March 23-24, 2011
Beltsville, Maryland
$1040 (8:30am - 4:30pm)
"Register 3 or More & Receive $100 00 each
Off The Course Tuition."
Summary
This two-day short course reviews the underlying
technology areas used to construct and operate
space-based laser altimeters and laser radar
systems. The course presents background
information to allow an appreciation for designing
and evaluating space-based laser radars.
Fundamental descriptions are given for directdetection
and coherent-detection laser radar
systems, and, details associated with space
applications are presented. System requirements
are developed and methodology of system
component selection is given. Performance
evaluation criteria are developed based on system
requirements. Design considerations for spacebased
laser radars are discussed and case studies
describing previous and current space
instrumentation are presented. In particular, the
development, test, and operation of the NEAR
Laser Radar is discussed in detailed to illustrate
design decisions.
Emerging technologies pushing next-generation
laser altimeters are discussed, the use of lasers in
BMD and TMD architectures are summarized, and
additional topics addressing laser radar target
identification and tracking aspects are provided.
Fundamentals associated with lasers and optics are
not covered in this course, a generalized level of
understanding is assumed.
Instructor
Timothy D. Cole is a leading authority with 33
years of experience exclusively working in electrooptical
systems as a systems and
design engineer. Mr. Cole is the Chief
Scientist within the Special
Operations Department of Northrop
Grumman (TASC). He has presented
several technical papers addressing
space-based laser altimetry all over the US and
Europe. His industry experience has been focused
on the systems engineering and analysis associated
development of optical detectors, exoatmospheric
sensor design and calibration, and the design,
fabrication and operation of the Near-Earth Asteroid
Rendezvous (NEAR) Laser Radar. He has recently
designed and fabricated remote sensors based
upon micro-laser radars and coherent lasers for the
military and various Intel organizations.
Course Outline
1. Introduction to Laser Radar Systems.
Definitions Remote sensing and altimetry,
Space object identification and tracking.
2. Review of Basic Theory. How Laser
Radar Systems Function.
3. Direct-detection systems. Coherentdetection
systems, Altimetry application, Radar
(tracking) application, Target identification
application.
4. Laser Radar Design Approach.
Constraints, Spacecraft resources, Cost
drivers, Proven technologies, Matching
instrument with application.
5. System Performance Evaluation.
Development of laser radar performance
equations, Review of secondary
considerations, Speckle, Glint, Trade-off
studies, Aperture vs. power, Coherent vs.
incoherent detection, Spacecraft pointing vs.
beam steering optics.
6. Laser Radar Functional
Implementation. Component descriptions,
System implementations.
7. Case Studies. Altimeters, Apollo 17,
Clementine, Detailed study of the NEAR laser
altimeter design & implementation, selection of
system components for high-rel requirements,
testing of space-based laser systems, nuances
associated with operating space-based lasers,
Mars Global Surveyor, Radars, LOWKATR
(BMD midcourse sensing), FIREPOND (BMD
target ID), TMD/BMD Laser Systems, COIL: A
TMD Airborne Laser System (TMD target lethal
interception).
8. Emerging Developments and Future
Trends. PN coding, Laser vibrometry, Signal
processing hardware Implementation issues.
Who should attend:
Engineers, scientists, and technical managers
interested in obtaining a fundamental knowledge of
the technologies and system engineering aspects
underlying laser radar systems. The course presents
mathematical equations (e.g., link budget) and
design rules (e.g., bi-static, mono-static, coherent,
direct detection configurations), survey and
discussion of key technologies employed (laser
transmitters, receiver optics and transducer, postdetection
signal processing), performance
measurement and examples, and an overview of
special topics (e.g., space qualification and
operation, scintillation effects, signal processing
implementations) to allow appreciation towards the
design and operation of laser radars in space.
54 – Vol. 104 Register online at www.ATIcourses.com or call ATI at 888.501.2100 or 410.956.8805