title: Long-range time-of-flight scanning sensor based on high-speed time-correlated single-photon counting.
abstract: We describe a scanning time-of-flight system which uses the time-correlated single-photon counting technique to produce three-dimensional depth images of distant, noncooperative surfaces when these targets are illuminated by a kHz to MHz repetition rate pulsed laser source. The data for the scene are acquired using a scanning optical system and an individual single-photon detector. Depth images have been successfully acquired with centimeter xyz resolution, in daylight conditions, for low-signature targets in field trials at distances of up to 325 m using an output illumination with an average optical power of less than 50 microW.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, UK, EH14 4AS.
authors.forename: Aongus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Nils J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Krichel
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Gerald S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Buller