Laser altimetry measurements from aircraft and spacecraft

The techniques involved in the design and application of laser altimeter instruments are reviewed, including a description of the instrument subsystems required for the range and waveform measurements. Laser pulse transmitters based on the relatively novel technology of diode-pumped solid-state lasers are considered. Various factors affecting laser altimeter instrument performance are discussed. These include the receiver signal-to-noise ratio, atmospheric propagation, and altimeter platform effects. Some examples of laser altimeter data are presented to illustrate the variety of possible instrument applications. >