Patent — available for licensing
LiDAR with Reduced-Length Linear Detector Array
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
In recent years, LiDAR innovations have significantly improved instrument sensitivity and efficiency while reducing size, weight, and power requirements. Future Earth and planetary science missions require more compact and efficient ranging LiDARs capable of probing multiple profiles and enabling 3D imaging. However, a key limitation is the size of available 1D detector arrays within LiDAR systems, which constrains the footprint swath. To address this challenge, engineers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center developed the LiDAR with Reduced-Length Linear Detector Array, an advancement in next-generation LiDAR technology that enables multi-track swath mapping with 3D imaging. This invention introduces new methods to minimize the required 1D detector array size, reduce speckle noise, and lower unwanted solar photon counts—without the need for additional gratings. By substantially decreasing form factor and power requirements while enhancing performance, this innovation provides users with greater operational flexibility and expanded capabilities while reducing costs.