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Multi-beam laser altimeterLaser altimetry provides a high-resolution, high-accuracy method for measurement of the elevation and horizontal variability of Earth-surface topography. The basis of the measurement is the timing of the round-trip propagation of short-duration pulses of laser radiation between a spacecraft and the Earth's surface. Vertical resolution of the altimetry measurement is determined primarily by laser pulsewidth, surface-induced spreading in time of the reflected pulse, and the timing precision of the altimeter electronics. With conventional gain-switched pulses from solid-state lasers and sub-nsec resolution electronics, sub-meter vertical range resolution is possible from orbital attitudes of several hundred kilometers. Horizontal resolution is a function of laser beam footprint size at the surface and the spacing between successive laser pulses. Laser divergence angle and altimeter platform height above the surface determine the laser footprint size at the surface, while laser pulse repetition-rate, laser transmitter beam configuration, and altimeter platform velocity determine the space between successive laser pulses. Multiple laser transitters in a singlaltimeter instrument provide across-track and along-track coverage that can be used to construct a range image of the Earth's surface. Other aspects of the multi-beam laser altimeter are discussed.
Document ID
19940011147
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bufton, Jack L. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Harding, David J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ramos-Izquierdo, Luis (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Eighth International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Accession Number
94N15620
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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