Get more information on Neptec's TriDAR!
Identified as a critical technology in the 'United States Space Transportation Policy' (released in January 2005); Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) has become a primary focus for Neptec. Consisting of a TriDAR laser scanner and the Neptec real-time tracking software known as LASSO, Neptec's AR&D sensor is built upon Neptec technologies previously used in space.
The TriDAR is a hybrid scanner combining the best features of the space qualified, near field LCS (based on triangulation) with a long range Time of Flight (or LIDAR) system. Unlike pure LIDAR systems the TriDAR operates at distances ranging from 0.5 meters to over 2000 meters without sacrificing speed or precision at either end of the range.
TriDAR is a combination imaging sensor that exploits the complimentary nature of triangulation and LIDAR technologies in a compact optical package.
Based on Neptec's Laser Camera System (LCS) family of space-qualified 3D scanners, TriDAR retains the flight proven LCS scan control electronics and now adds a LIDAR module. Sharing common beam steering and collection optics makes for unique and innovative hardware design, while maintaining the LCS reputation for reliability.
TriDAR's real strength lies within its ability to work with Neptec's 3Di software tool-kit.
Neptec's 3Di approach is based on the principle that 3D data can be used in real-time applications, even over relatively modest bandwidth data links. Processing the data at the sensor using proprietary pose estimation algorithms eliminates the collection of redundant data. This allows the solution to be fed back to the scan process driving efficient data collection and generating full 6DOF pose estimates at speeds up to 5Hz in real applications.
Neptec's 3D Automated Rendezvous and Docking Sensor (AR&D) system is based on two Neptec
innovations: the TriDAR 3D sensor and Neptec's Intelligent 3D (3Di) software toolkit. The combination of this hardware and software create a dynamic,
powerful and resourceful system which will enable efficient and reliable docking without the need for
traditional target arrays.
TriDAR combines a short range, high precision autosynchronous triangulation sensor with a mid- to long-range time-of-flight LIDAR sensor in the same unit. The two sensors share the same optical path and control electronics resulting in a compact package with a multi-range, multi-role capability.
Neptec's 3Di software reduces the amount of data collected and processes that data efficiently on the sensor head; drastically reducing the computational overhead of working in 3D. The result is six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) real-time tracking and pose estimation.
