Advances in two-dimensional and three-dimensional laser imagery modeling

Laser radar (Ladar) technology has enjoyed significant advances over the past decade. Novel focal plane areas, compact laser illuminators and advanced signal processing have enabled the construction of low power 2-D and 3-D laser imagery systems. The applications of such systems range from surveillance, targeting and weapons guidance to target identification. This paper deals with modeling of new optical non-conventional imaging with laser systems. In this paper, we present the simulation of the 3D ladar sensor including physics based modeling of laser backscattering from complex rough targets, reflectance modeling of porous occluders, development of 3D scenes and reconstruction algorithms for identification. This paper addresses the utility of physics based scene simulation in support of tomography algorithms for reconstructing optical three-dimensional scenes. This includes a review of the physics and phenomenology that can be modeled and examples of scene.