Three-channel space-qualified high power pulsed fiber laser system for accurate velocity detection in bistatic configuration

Abstract

We report the development of space qualified three-channel bistatic Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) system capable of working up to 2.2 km which includes Master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) based on High Power Fiber Lasers with specifications of 5W Peak power, 4-millisecond pulse-width at 1550 nm central wavelength. Transmitter-Receiver collimators are aligned in Bistatic configuration within 3.6 arc second accuracy. Doppler shift measurement is estimated using all-fiber optical heterodyne interferometry and thereby highly accurate velocity detection is achieved with 3 sigma accuracy of ±3.108, ±4.063, and ±3.3903 mm/s. The developed LADAR sensor system for velocity measurement is space qualified and has shown nominal performance during all phases of thermal and vibration tests.