PROMAPP = Precision Registration Laser Based Mapping sensor

We propose to investigate the market opportunities for a Precision Registration Laser Based
Mapping sensor that could be used in Digital Elevation Mapping, the detection of vehicles
underneath foliage, aircraft navigation, collision detection for unmanned aircraft and
unmanned ground vehicles and in ash cloud monitoring.
A shortcoming in the scanning LIDAR units of which we are aware, is the absence of a
definitive identification of the laser beam location to enable a precision, geo-rectified mapping
to be derived from the scanning LIDAR unit. This shortcoming has been pointed out to us by
geophysicists at Royal Dutch Shell and by DSTL staff at the UK MoD.
We have an idea as to how this shortcoming can be solved, opening up the potential for us to
develop and manufacture a precision geo-rectified scanning laser terrain profiling sensor in
the U.K. for marketing throughout the world. Our idea is to increase the registration accuracy
and the sensitivity of the scanning LIDAR mapping sensor and reduce the weight of the unit
by combining:
• RADAR pulse compression techniques
• high speed, high resolution, digitising and storage of the reflected optical waveform
• synchronised optical line scans and stereo imaging pairs
One interesting capability of this sensor is the ability to use software to "strip away the trees"
in underlying terrain, provided the sensor can detect some light reflected from the ground. By
analysing the reflected optical waveform, software can calculate:
• the distance to the ground beneath the trees
• the height of the trees
We see applications for this sensor in geophysical surveys throughout the world. This
technology could also be used in military applications, to detect objects obscured
intentionally, or otherwise, by foliage.
A societal benefit will be in the monitoring of ash cloud density, to provide the National
Aviation Authorities with more information to enable commercial flights to be curtailed only
when necessary.