LADAR vs. Laser Radar API’s 9D LADAR (LAser Distance and Ranging) incorporates a breakthrough technology that is set to revolutionize automated production measurements. The patent-pending 9D LADAR offers the fastest, most accurate interferometry-based non-contact measurement system, incorporating Optical Frequency Chirping Interferometry (OFCI) technology. API’s OFCI technology uses 20 kHz speed fast laser chirping to generate a wide spectrum for optical interference. The interference signal detected, using the time series detection method yields 100x higher sensitivity than the phase-detection Laser Radar method. LADAR Obsoletes Laser Radar Dynamic 9D LADAR uses API’s OFCI technology, developed over a 15-year period, with major sub-components designed for maximum performance and reliability. 9D LADAR provides micronlevel resolution while eliminating issues associated with surface reflectivity, slow data acquisition speeds, limited accuracies, restrictive incident angles, and susceptibility to production environment noise. 9D LADAR outperforms traditional, off-line, large volume coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and near-line and in-line inspection solutions using conventional Laser Radar, optical laser-line and structured light scanning systems. Laser Radar dimensional measurement systems have used phase-detection technologies, based upon frequency mixing whereby a chirped-frequency laser signal is sent to a target - the returned signal interacts with the outgoing signal creating the frequency mixing (Heterodyne) effect. Absolute ranging and system accuracy requires large sample averaging to obtain a reasonable accuracy, which effectively slows down the data rate, with both accuracy and performance highly dependent on surface reflectivity, incident angle, and background noise in production environments. When measuring metallic surfaces, the incident angle typically cannot be larger than 70-degre

Non-contact Laser Radar technology has proven its ability to measure automotive parts including full 'Body-in-White', as a replacement for CMM measurements adjacent to production lines providing both external and internal measurements of vehicle body regions. 9D LADAR precision automated high-speed 'raster' scanning provides both surface geometry point cloud data collection as well as 'gap and flush' dimensional data. Laser Radar systems, although offering advantages over CMM measurements, remained too slow to pace production thereby providing an audit only measuring function. The enhanced speed...