A Digitally Controlled Safety Radar Subsystem for Atmospheric Lidar Systems
Document ID: 87
Master's Thesis
The Pennsylvania State University
The Graduate School
College of Engineering
Abstract
The operation of high power lasers in the atmosphere requires the use of safety procedures to ensure the well being of ground personnel and the safety of passengers and crew aboard aircraft operating in the local area. For an atmospheric LIDAR to be used as an autonomous instrument, safety procedures in conjunction with a safety subsystem are required. This thesis describes the design and analysis of a Safety Radar subsystem using a commercial marine radar as its primary component. The subsystem includes custom hardware to monitor the radar and disable the laser when the situation is warranted. The Safety Radar subsystem is shown to detect both private and commercial air traffic at required ranges and at speeds which allow it to inhibit laser operation well before any intercept of the laser beam can occur. Self-monitoring functions for both the radar unit and the custom hardware are demonstrated to disable the laser in the event of any detected hardware failure. A summary of key features and cautions is given along with operational considerations.
| Citation: | S. P. Boone, "A Digitally Controlled Safety Radar Subsystem for Atmospheric Lidar Systems", The Pennsylvania State University, Master's Thesis, May 1995, 111 pages |