Abstract:
A laser radar system wherein a beam of continuous wave (CW) electromagnetic energy is generated with frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) being imposed thereon to produce an amplitude and frequency modulated, continuous wave beam of energy. The AM-FM CW beam is transmitted toward a selected target, portions of the transmitted beam being reflected by the target and received along with portions of the transmitted beam reflected by unselected targets and atmospheric clutter. A first signal is produced in response to the frequency modulation on the received beam portions reflected by the selected target, such first signal representing the approximate range of the selected target and substantially resolving the selected target from unselected targets and atmospheric clutter and having a relatively long ambiguous range interval. A second signal is produced in response to the amplitude modulation on the received beam portions reflected by the selected target, the second signal representing the accurate range of the selected target within a relatively short ambiguous range interval. The second signal provides poor resolution between the selected target and the unselected targets and atmospheric clutter.