Projects - LIDAR System Integration

Introduction

Distant Focus Corporation was contracted by BAE Systems to complete the system integration tasks for the LIDAR Signal Processing Project at the Coordinated Science Laboratory in the fall of 2001. This LIDAR system was built for the purpose of generating data to study algorithms used in under water mine detection.

Program Focus for Distant Focus Corporation

Distant Focus was tasked to complete and automate a partially assembled LIDAR system and make it functional for data collection. By doing so we provided the means for safe and easy data collection for further post processing and algorithm testing. This involved:

  • Redesigning the LASER projection optics.
  • Provide computer control and position measurement for a rotation platform.
  • Provide a computer interface for a delay generator.
  • Add safety shields over the LASER projection optics.
  • Add and update ImageKitchen* control modules so that the entire experiment could be automated.
  • Write a safety and operations manual with example scripts.

* ImageKitchen is a software application that features a scripting language and hardware module support. It is used for controlling hardware and performing image acquisition as well as complex data manipulation. It similar to MATLAB with hardware support. ImageKitchen was developed by the Photonic Systems Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Pictures of LIDAR System

Image | System - Top

Overhead View of LIDAR System: Projection optics under orange cover on the left. Collection optics on right consisting of a telescope and gated intensified CCD camera. Laser safety cover and projection optics are Distant Focus contributions.
Image | Down Range

Down Range: Person is standing next to rotation stage that the target will be placed on. Distant Focus developed the automated rotation stage control and position readout.
Image | System - RH
Image | System - LH

Closer view of the projection optics enclosure and LASER.

Image | ImageKitchen

ImageKitchen Interface #1: Screenshot of an example script for rotating a surface plot.
Image | ImageKitchen

ImageKitchen Enhancements: Hardware property pages for the LIDAR system. This particular page has settings for the rotation platform.
Image | ImageKitchen

ImageKitchen Interface #2: Screenshot of a LIDAR script for testing the delay generator.