Space based software defined coherent lidar architecture: from system demonstration to system integration

Recently, thanks to the innovation in optical and electro-optical components, space based passive radiometers and microwave sensors can be efficiently supported by complementary light detection and ranging (Lidar) systems. One of the most important applications for astronautics Lidars, is the measure of target's distance and its relative properties as, topography, surface's roughness and reflectivity, gravity and mass, that provide useful information for semi-autonomous landing functionalities or navigation and docking to spacecrafts for on-orbit satellite servicing (OSS). In this context we present an innovative architecture of a software defined coherent Lidar system. With respect to classically time of flight (ToF) techniques our approach is based on optically coherent detection benefitting from the corresponding coherent detection gain to enhance the Lidar sensitivity without increasing the peak transmitted power. We report the functional scheme and the preliminary results as well as the mask layout of an on chip implementation which allows to fill the concept of size, weight and power requirements (SWaP) for the aerospace segment.