Variable Scan Parameter Based Laser Sensor System
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorNathan D. Hiller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser beam sensor system comprising a lidar system in an aircraft and a controller. The lidar system is configured to emit a laser beam into an atmosphere during flight of the aircraft. The lidar system is configured to receive backscatter light generated in response to emitting the laser beam. The lidar system is configured to generate backscatter data using the backscatter light. The controller is configured to control the lidar system to move the laser beam to scan an area using a path from a central location to an outer location of the area. The controller is configured to adjust a number of scan parameters during scanning the area using the path. The controller is configured to generate measurements of the area using the backscatter data generated from scanning the area.
Claims27
A laser beam sensor system comprising:
- a lidar system in an aircraft, wherein the lidar system is configured to:
- emit a laser beam into an atmosphere during flight of the aircraft;
- receive backscatter light generated in response to emitting the laser beam;
- and
- generate backscatter data using the backscatter light;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- control the lidar system to move the laser beam to scan an area using a path from a central location to an outer location of the area;
- adjust a number of scan parameters during scanning the area using the path;
- and
- generate measurements of the area using the backscatter data generated from scanning the area.
A method for making measurements with a laser beam, the method comprising:
- moving the laser beam being emitted into an atmosphere during a flight of an aircraft to scan an area using a path from a central location to an outer location of the area;
- adjusting a number of scan parameters during scanning the area using the path;
- detecting backscatter light generated in response to the laser beam being emitted and moved to scan the area;
- generating backscatter data from the backscatter light;
- and
- generating the measurements of the area using the backscatter data generated from scanning the area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.