LiDAR Laser: A Revolutionary Technology
LiDAR laser applications have grown dramatically in recent years. Although invented in 1960, its widespread acceptance and applications began to flourish after 1990. Today, this technology is utilized across various industries, including agriculture, forestry, military, mining, and transportation.
This blog explores what LiDAR laser is and how it differs from the more well-known RADAR technology.
What Is LiDAR Laser?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. As the name suggests, this technique measures the distance between objects using light waves or a light source. Essentially, it is employed in range-finding applications.
Initially, LiDAR lasers were used to calculate the distance between the Earth and the Moon in 1960. Over the past five decades, the applications of LiDAR lasers have expanded significantly.
While LiDAR technology functions similarly to RADAR technology, there are numerous distinctions between them. Before delving into these differences, let’s examine how the LiDAR laser works.
How Does LiDAR Work?
A LiDAR laser system consists of two basic components: the laser and the detector. Most LiDAR systems operate on the Time of Flight (TOF) principle. According to this principle, the laser emits a pulse directed at an object, and the reflection or scattering from the object is measured by a detector within the system.
The detector measures the time it takes for the laser pulse to travel to the object and back, determining the distance based on the time delay. This precise measurement allows the LiDAR system to calculate the distance to the object with high accuracy. The collected data is then used to generate detailed 3D maps or models of the environment.
The fundamental idea underlying all LiDAR systems is this time-of-flight measurement. Let’s take a closer look at how LiDAR differs from RADAR.
LiDAR vs. RADAR
First, let’s understand what RADAR stands for. RADAR is an abbreviation for Radio Detection and Ranging. In RADAR, radio waves are used to measure distance rather than light sources.
When examining the electromagnetic spectrum, radio waves used in RADAR are millimeter waves. In contrast, the light waves used in LiDAR lasers are almost three orders of magnitude smaller in dimension than radio waves.
These radio waves can detect objects of incredibly small sizes. In contrast, light waves can detect even the smallest objects. In essence, LiDAR technology offers considerably more precision. LiDAR systems are used for 3D mapping or surface scanning of objects due to their high precision.
RADAR systems, on the other hand, are used in applications where the actual size and shape of the object are irrelevant, but the detection distance is crucial. As a result, they are typically used in military applications or air traffic control systems where detecting the object is more critical than its shape or size.
However, unlike LiDAR lasers, RADAR can operate in adverse conditions such as rain or fog. The LiDAR system, in contrast, cannot function effectively in such harsh environments. Now, let’s summarize the principal differences between LiDAR and RADAR.
| No. | LiDAR | RADAR |
| 1. | Uses light source to function | Uses radio waves to function |
| 2. | Have shorter wavelength | Have longer wavelength |
| 3. | Suitable for small object detection | Suitable for large object detection |
| 4. | Can’t work in a harsh environment | Can also work in a harsh environment |
These are some of the fundamental distinctions between LiDAR and RADAR. In the following article on LiDAR, we will explore its properties and applications further.
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