ARETE ASSOCIATES — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A14-041

Description

A lidar system is proposed for the mapping of dense aerosols. The approach is based on a TRL-7 lidar system which has been developed for operation in highly-turbid environments (obscurants, sand, dust, fog, etc.) with funding from multiple programs over more than five years. In the Phase-I, upgrades to the point-of-departure system were developed to solve the key technical challenges. The key technical challenges identified are simultaneously achieving the bandwidth, sensitivity, and especially very-high (35dB) optical dynamic range required to meet the sensor specifications described in the solicitation. These key challenges were addressed by the modeling and hardware design of specialized technologies, in particular an advanced device which provides dramatic optical dynamic range enhancement. Herein the key results and methods of the Phase-I work are summarized, and evidence is provided to clearly show the path to the Phase-II work. The Phase-II work plan is described in detail, including the major tasks and the process for completing them. The deliverable system at the end of Phase-II is described. Challenges and risk-mitigation strategies are discussed.