Ranging performance of satellite laser altimeters

Computer Science – Performance

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Laser Altimeters, Mapping, Moon, Planets, Rangefinding, Satellite Instruments, Targets, Topography, Waveforms, Accuracy, Altitude, Analog To Digital Converters, Divergence, Pulse Duration, Pulsed Lasers, Slopes, Terrain

Scientific paper

Topographic mapping of the earth, moon and planets can be accomplished with high resolution and accuracy using satellite laser altimeters. These systems employ nanosecond laser pulses and microradian beam divergences to achieve submeter vertical range resolution from orbital altitudes of several hundred kilometers. Here, we develop detailed expressions for the range and pulse width measurement accuracies and use the results to evaluate the ranging performances of several satellite laser altimeters currently under development by NASA for launch during the next decade. Our analysis includes the effects of the target surface characteristics, spacecraft pointing jitter and waveform digitizer characteristics. The results show that ranging accuracy is critically dependent on the pointing accuracy and stability of the altimeter especially over high relief terrain where surface slopes are large. At typical orbital altitudes of several hundred kilometers, single-shot accuracies of a few centimeters can be achieved only when the pointing jitter is on the order of 10 mu rad or less.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Ranging performance of satellite laser altimeters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Ranging performance of satellite laser altimeters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ranging performance of satellite laser altimeters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-941164

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.