Light Detection and Ranging

     LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an optical technique, analogous to RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging), that uses laser light to probe targets at a distance. LIDAR systems can be found in ground, airborne, and even space-based platforms, and usually use pulsed lasers. LIDAR systems can not only map targets and measure distances, but are often also used to study the target’s chemical constituents or properties. LIDAR systems can be used in applications such as terrain mapping, wind farm mapping (to determine wind speeds at locations and altitudes around a wind farm), wind shear detection around airports, remote gas emission sensing (for example, CO2detection), spacecraft rangefinding, and standoff biological agent detection.