Estimation of satellite laser optical cross section: a comparison of simulations and field results

Lukesh, Gordon W.; Chandler, Susan M.; Barnard, Calvin C.

doi:10.1117/12.413841

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…This employed the range equation, equation (1), which contains three main elements. This employed the range equation, equation (1), which contains three main elements.…”

Section: Estimation Of Optical Cross Sectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of satellite laser optical cross sections from the active imaging testbed

2002

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In a previous paper' the first two authors described two techniques for estimating the optical cross section (OCS) of remotely illuminated objects. This report uses OCS estimates from the Active Imaging Testbed, fielded in 1999 by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate's Surveillance Technologies Branch to analyze the frequency and magnitude of glints. Glints are the transient, non-Lambertian returns from such features as a flat, specular surface or a natural corner cube. The OCS of a sateffite is the least well understood element of the range equation used to estimate system perfonnance. Glints caused by natural corner cubes often exceed the radiometric estimate by orders of magnitudes. However, glints also occur that are on the order of five to ten times the expected returns, due perhaps to the transient alignment of a flat surface. These phenomena can provide increased signal for tracking or imaging applications, but can also act as a noise source. Glints may be identified and their statistics analyzed using the OCS estimation technique. ThITRODUCTIONStrategic systems, such as recent ground-spaceground programs fielded by the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), employ an esthnate ofthe active optical cross section (OCS) ofthe illuminated object. This assumes the object is a Lambertian reflector with specified reflectivity and size. The OCS is typically the least well characterized element of the range equation. In previous papers, the authors described estimation of system pointing performance based solely on the received time-series si_. In this paper pointing estimates and OCS estimates are used to obtain field estimates of active illumination glints from data that was taken during the Active Imaging Testbed. AfT was fielded in 1999 at the Starfire Optical Range (SOR) on Kirtland AFB, NM, USA. During AlT, 3 1 different satellites were successfully ifiuminated, with more than 100 engagements. Many engagements had several hundred recorded illuminations. These engagements allow for extensive analysis of OCS to provide foundations for future ground-space-ground illumination experiments.Energy requirements for AlT dictated a narrow divergence beam, thus mechanical and atmospheric effects caused frequent offcenter illuminations. Ifan object were illuminated perfectly, a simple inversion ofthe range equation would provide the OCS and detect glints. Two statistical approaches' estimate the OCS from field data. The peak method relies on the fact that while an object may not be filly illuminated, statistically as the number ofshots increases the peak return will approximate that from a flill illumination. The mean method establishes that the average ofmultiple illuminations must statistically represent a fraction of the fill illumination. Both methods provide a statistical distribution of OCS estimates. The key point for the detection of glints is that while the mean approach will not greatly be affected by a return five to ten time larger than expected, the peak method will be greatly sk...

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“…This employed the range equation, equation (1), which contains three main elements. This employed the range equation, equation (1), which contains three main elements.…”

Section: Estimation Of Optical Cross Sectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of satellite laser optical cross sections from the active imaging testbed

2002

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“…Different theoretical models are established for the LRCS [4], [5]. Other investigations report on LRCS assessment of randomly rough targets [6], calculated by means of images [7], by a combined experimental and computational approach [8], or for space targets like satellites [9]- [11]. In literature one can find several publications of LRCS measurements in a laboratory environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigations on the laser radar cross section of optical components

Stutz,

Schiller,

Eberle

et al. 2023

Technologies for Optical Countermeasures XIX

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The laser radar cross section (LRCS) is a parameter for describing the reflective properties of targets, illuminated by laser light. As the role of lasers in remote sensing continues to grow in the automotive, or military fields, a proper measurement methodology for the laser radar cross section of various objects, especially in a laboratory environment, is crucial. In this contribution we performed preliminary investigations in a laboratory environment on the laser cross section of different optical components such as mirrors. The research focus hereby is put on the influence of various measurement parameters of the setup with respect to the measured LRCS. Such parameters are for example different angles of incidence, beam size and beam quality.

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“…The far field pattern ofthe beam should be sized optimally for the target distinction desired. 4. The illumination should occur at a sufficiently rapid rate to freeze the target.…”

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confidence: 99%

Nonimaging active system determination of target shape through turbulent medium

Chandler

Lukesh

2001

Atmospheric Propagation, Adaptive Systems, and Laser Radar Technology for Remote Sensing

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Image reconstruction techniques for atmospheric applications often work best with an initial estimate of the object support. This paper examines the ability of a non-imaging laser pointing system to obtain an estimate of target size and shape based on the statistics of the return signal. Fundamental limits on system pointing, such as the tracking errors, corrupt a simple raster scan that would provide gross object shape from the convolution of the far-field pattern with the target. Using techniques developed previously for the estimation of pointing performance, it is possible to distinguish between simple shapes such as bars, circles, and T's based on the statistics ofthe received time signal. Simulated space objects, such as those illuminated during field experiments, may also be distinguished.

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Estimation of satellite laser optical cross section: a comparison of simulations and field results

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Analysis of satellite laser optical cross sections from the active imaging testbed

Analysis of satellite laser optical cross sections from the active imaging testbed

Investigations on the laser radar cross section of optical components

Nonimaging active system determination of target shape through turbulent medium

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