Applications
DDR polarimetric LiDAR has three licensing domains: maritime person-in-water detection, drone and bird discrimination, and radar augmentation. In each domain, a specific background medium produces near-zero DDR, forming a stable physical reference against which target contrast is measured.
FMCW Maritime LiDAR
Water is a volume scatterer. Under orthogonal H and V illumination, it produces symmetric depolarization with DDR approximately 0 to 0.05. Manufactured materials and biological structures floating on that surface produce measurably asymmetric DDR. The background is the calibration reference.
This makes DDR-enabled LiDAR a candidate for person-in-water detection in maritime search and rescue. The sensor outputs a binary detection flag with position data; no operator image interpretation is required. The 1550 nm wavelength is eye-safe at all operational ranges. Target platforms are shipboard sensor mast installations and helicopter-mounted pods.
Design Targets
All values are modeled predictions or design targets. No prototype has been built and no field measurements have been taken. Phase I experimental validation is pending.
- Detection range: 300m to 5km slant (design target)
- Sea state ceiling: Beaufort 6 (design target)
- Target: persons in water, life rafts, survival suits
- Output: binary flag + position, no image required
- Wavelength: 1550 nm (Class 1M, eye-safe)
- Platform: shipboard mast or helicopter pod
FMCW Drone Detection
Clear atmosphere at 1550 nm produces near-zero DDR background. It is lower and more stable than the maritime case because there is no surface scatter component. Carbon fiber composites produce strong DDR signatures from woven anisotropic structure. Bird feathers produce a different signature from keratin microstructure. Bird feather DDR values are uncharacterized and are a primary Phase I objective. The discrimination problem is carbon fiber versus biological tissue against a near-zero atmospheric background.
DDR adds a material classification channel to airspace surveillance. Output is a classification flag and track initiation data for integration with existing counter-UAS sensor fusion systems.
Design Targets
All values are modeled predictions or design targets. No prototype has been built and no field measurements have been taken. Phase I experimental validation is pending.
- Detection range: 200m to 2km, small UAS (design target)
- Target: fixed-wing and multirotor UAS, carbon fiber composite airframes
- Background: near-zero atmospheric DDR (modeled)
- Discrimination: UAS vs birds (Phase I experimental target; feather DDR uncharacterized)
- Output: classification flag + track initiation
- Integration: C-UAS sensor fusion layer
Pulsed ToF Radar Augmentation
Radar detects and tracks by geometry and kinematics. It cannot measure material composition. DDR adds material classification as an overlay channel on existing radar track output. The integration model does not modify radar hardware or operator workflow. Classification output is delivered via standard NMEA interfaces and fused into the radar track management layer. Target platforms include coast guard stations, offshore facilities, port installations, and naval vessels.
Design Targets
All values are modeled predictions or design targets. No prototype has been built and no field measurements have been taken. Phase I experimental validation is pending.
- Ranging: pulsed ToF, synchronized to host radar
- Classification: material DDR overlay per radar contact (design target)
- Integration: NMEA interface, track-layer fusion
- Hardware: add-on aperture, no radar modification
- Target platforms: coast guard, offshore, port, naval
- Range: matched to host radar detection envelope (design target)
Technology and IP portfolio
The technology page covers the DDR measurement physics, signal architecture, and hardware design in detail. The IP portfolio page lists patent filings and licensing status.