Frequently Asked Questions
What wavelength is typically used for airborne LIDAR, and which CEO products cover each band?
532 nm (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG) is standard for topographic mapping and bathymetry due to water penetration depth and detector sensitivity. 1064 nm is used where green-wavelength eye safety margins are insufficient or where higher pulse energy is required. 355 nm (tripled) is used for specific atmospheric sensing applications. CEO's OSL series operates at 532 nm; the Gigashot-L is available at 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 355 nm.
What environmental qualification standards apply to CEO airborne LIDAR lasers?
CEO airborne laser systems are designed and tested to RTCA/DO-160D, the standard qualification framework for commercial and military airborne equipment. This encompasses vibration, mechanical shock, temperature and altitude, humidity, EMI/EMC, and power input testing. Specific test levels are agreed with the customer based on the target platform and mission profile.
Can CEO lasers be integrated into aircraft platforms with 28 VDC power only?
Yes. CEO designs power conditioning electronics in-house for both 28 VDC (MIL-STD-704 / RTCA/DO-160 compliant) and 115 VAC 400 Hz aircraft bus inputs. Input power architecture is defined early in the program and integrated into the laser drive electronics rather than handled by an external power supply box.
What is the expected pump diode lifetime for an airborne LIDAR mission?
CEO's airborne LIDAR laser diodes are validated to 10 billion (1010) shots before significant output degradation. At 3 kHz repetition rate, this corresponds to over 900 hours of continuous operation. The Gigashot-L carries a 2-year / 10,000 operating hour warranty on pump diodes.
Can CEO design a laser to a custom SWAP envelope for a specific platform?
Yes. CEO's vertically integrated manufacturing capability means that laser diode arrays, gain modules, drive electronics, and the optical bench are all designed in-house. Custom enclosure geometry, connector placement, and thermal interface specifications are accommodated. Contact the sales engineering team with platform drawings and performance requirements to initiate a tradeoff study.
Does CEO supply gain modules or laser diode arrays separately for integrators building their own LIDAR laser heads?
Yes. CEO sells laser gain modules (including the RB20 used in the OSL) and laser diode arrays as external products. Integrators developing proprietary LIDAR laser architectures can procure these components directly and benefit from the same diode and module quality used in CEO's fielded airborne systems.
