High-resolution three-dimensional laser radar with static unitary detector

A new simple method to obtain real-time high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) images based on a static unitary detector (STUD) is reported. The STUD consists of a common bias network, a partitioned photodetector, a preamplifier array and a combiner, which makes it possible to easily increase the effective photo-detection area for a wider 3D image acquisition without affecting the ability to detect short laser pulses for high-resolution 3D images. From an implemented experimental prototype based on a STUD, the intensity and 3D images with a very high resolution (320 pixels × 240 pixels) were obtained. The achieved range resolution and the spatial resolution of remote 3D objects at 50 m were measured to be <;0.3 and 1.1 cm, respectively.