1.54/10.6-MU-M EYESAFE LASER RANGEFINDERS PERFORMANCE UNDER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

In this investigation, the performance of a CO2 laser rangefinder at 10.6 mum and an erbium:glass rangefinder at 1.54 mum are evaluated and compared under various atmospheric conditions. Both systems and the trial site are described. The effect of atmospheric extinction and scattering is discussed. Also, the maximum range capability of the two laser rangefinders under these degraded weather conditions is assessed. The results show that the tested CO2 laser rangefinder performed better than the Er:glass LRF used for the trials under all weather conditions. However, comparing two state-of-the-art systems does not lead necessarily to the same conclusion.