Laser Radar Array Used For Improving Image Analysis Algorithms

Abstract

In this paper we report on a system that incorporates laser ranging data with reflectance data for improved performance in an object recognition task. A new laser diode-based radar array developed at Perkin-Elmer provides simultaneous coherent ranging and velocimetry data for multiple points in an image scene. The device consists of simple optics and non-mechanical components and is compact and simple to use. While the hardware expansion to higher density laser diode arrays continues, we have designed parallel signal processing algorithms to process the raw data for image analysis applications. We discuss how this information is used to improve the performance of a model-based object recognition system. The results of this research have immediate application to robotics vision and space docking systems, and longer term application in terrain mapping and image scene analysis as the signal performance is improved.