Technical Seminar

Lidar
Name : Ashwin Bhat
USN:4MT18IS014
What is Lidar ?
Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is an optical
sensing technology that can measure the
distance to, or other properties of a target by
illuminating target with light, often using pulses
from a laser.

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General description :
• Lidar uses ultraviolet, visible or infrared light to
image objects and can be used with wide range of
targets, including non-metallic, rocks, rain and
chemical compounds.
• A narrow laser beam can be used to map physical
features with very high resolution.
 Components of Lidar :
• Laser
• Scanner and optics
• Photodetector and receiver electonics
• Position and navigation systems
Laser :
• 600 – 1000 nm lasers are most common for
non scientific applications.
• Better target resolution is achived with shorter
pulses, provided the lidar receiver and detectors
have sufficient bandwidth.
Scanner and optics:
• How fast images can be developed is also
affected by the speed at which they are
scanned.
• Optics choices affect the angular resolution
and range that can be detected. A hole mirror
or a beam splitter are options to collect a
return signal.
Photodetector and
receiver electronics :
• Two main photodetector technologies are used
in lidars : solid state photodetectors, such as
silicone avalanche photodiodes, or
photomultipliers.
• Sensitivity of the receiver is another parameter
that needs to be balanced in lidar design.
Position and navigation
system :
• Lidar sensors that are mounted on air planes
or satellites require instrumentation to
determine the absolute position and
orientation of the sensor.
• Such devices generally include a global
positioning system receiver and an inertial
measurement unit (IMU).
 Applications :
• Agriculture: Lidar can be used to create
topographical map of the fields and reveal the slopes
and sun exposure of the farm land
• Engineering application: Lidar is used by many
industries , including energy and rail road and
department of transportation as a faster way of
surveying. 3D models of sites can also be
produced with lidar.
Continued…
• Wind farm optimization: Lidar can be used to
increase the output from wind farms by
accurately measuring wind speeds and wind
turbulence.
• Law enforcement: Lidar speed guns re used
by police to measure the speed of vehicles
for speed limit enforcement purposes.
Lidar vs Radar:
It uses laser light rays (NIR
visible)
for transmission and reception
medium.
It can provide accurate surface
measurements with 3D
mapping.
It uses charge coupled device
(CCD) optics and lasers for
transmission and reception.
Performance degraded with bad
atmospheric condition.
It uses radio waves ( microwave
signals in range of 1cm
wavelength)
for transmission and reception
medium.
Size and the position of the
object can be identified fairly
using Radar.
It uses antennae for transmission
and reception of the signals.
It can operate in bad weather
conditions.
Advantages :
• LiDAR technology offers incredibly accurate,
consistent results. The short wavelength can even
detect small objects and create exact 3D models.
• Places that are inaccessible, such as high mountains,
dense forests and hard to reach areas can be easily
mapped with LiDAR technology.
• The sensor sends out laser pulses and receives them
back in nanoseconds, making it possible to scan
large areas in a fairly short period of time and still get
a high volume of data.
Disadvantages:
• It takes previous surveying experience to take check
shots, run base stations, and check-in to
benchmarks. The LiDAR is complex in nature and
requires a deep understanding of the sensor.
• LiDAR pulses may be affected by heavy rains or low
hanging clouds because of the effects of refraction.
• Although LiDAR is cheap when used in huge
applications, it can be expensive when applied in
smaller areas when collecting data.