Multihit mode direct-detection laser radar system using a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode.

In this paper, a direct-detection laser radar system that uses a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GAPD) of relatively short dead time (45 ns) is described. A passively Q-switched microchip laser is used as a laser source and a compact peripheral component interconnect system, which includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC), is set up for fast signal processing. With both the GAPD and the TDC functioning multistop acquisition, the system operates in a multihit mode.