Coherent laser radar for vibrometry: robust design and adaptive signal processing

A coherent laser radar system based on semiconductor laser technology has been designed and built. The compact design and the absence of adjustments makes the system mechanically robust and easy to use. The present system has an output power of 50 mW and a line width of 280 kHz (HWHM). The laser radar system has been used in vibrometry measurements. For vibrometry of moving objects, adaptive signal processing is required in order to obtain the vibration signature. Especially for unresolved objects, interference between different vibrating parts will complicate the analysis. Model based estimation techniques are used to obtain the parameters which determine the dynamics of the reflecting object.