Research of plane array propelled laser imaging detection for small targets at low altitude and slow speed

In order to solve the difficult problem of finding, identifying and tracking a low altitude, slow speed small target, a new technology of array propelled laser imaging method was proposed. With range-gated imaging model, different images of the scene were obtained by the moving forward vehicle system. According to the principle of plane array propelled imaging method, a 3-D reconstruction calculation about the successive range-gated images was introduced. Aiming at the characteristics of a low altitude, slow speed small target, the basic parameters of imaging detection system were designed. The performance of the system was studied including array elements, pulse repetition frequency, pulse duration, atmospheric attenuation and signal to noise. The results show that in low-flying area, this technology can be used to quickly imaging for 3-D observation scene, shortening the time required for images generation and could provide a guideline for the future system realization.