Proceedings Article | 4 June 2013
Proc. SPIE. 8731, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVIII
KEYWORDS: Transmitters, Optical amplifiers, Speckle, LIDAR, Sensors, Interference (communication), Receivers, Signal detection, Statistical modeling, Systems modeling
In this paper, we describe a detailed performance comparison of alternative single-pixel, single-mode LIDAR
architectures including (i) linear-mode APD-based direct-detection, (ii) optically-preamplified PIN receiver, (iii) PINbased
coherent-detection, and (iv) Geiger-mode single-photon-APD counting. Such a comparison is useful when
considering next-generation LIDAR on a chip, which would allow one to leverage extensive waveguide-based structures
and processing elements developed for telecom and apply them to small form-factor sensing applications. Models of
four LIDAR transmit and receive systems are described in detail, which include not only the dominant sources of
receiver noise commonly assumed in each of the four detection limits, but also additional noise terms present in realistic
implementations. These receiver models are validated through the analysis of detection statistics collected from an
experimental LIDAR testbed. The receiver is reconfigurable into four modes of operation, while transmit waveforms
and channel characteristics are held constant. The use of a diffuse hard target highlights the importance of including
speckle noise terms in the overall system analysis. All measurements are done at 1550 nm, which offers multiple system
advantages including less stringent eye safety requirements and compatibility with available telecom components,
optical amplification, and photonic integration. Ultimately, the experimentally-validated detection statistics can be used
as part of an end-to-end system model for projecting rate, range, and resolution performance limits and tradeoffs of
alternative integrated LIDAR architectures.
