KEYNOTE—Sweating the Small Stuff: A Safer World through Soft Target LiDAR
ABSTRACT
Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR, is a technique that uses pulsed light to map out the characteristics of a target. Most LiDAR applications focus on hard target imaging of macroscopic objects (for example, an autonomous vehicle detecting a neighboring car driving in the next lane, or your phone scanning the room to create a 3D mapping of the furniture).
Soft target LiDAR, on the other hand, uses light scattered from very small objects, which could range in size from ice crystals suspended in the air to the very molecules that make up the atmosphere.
In this talk, I will describe soft target LiDAR and several of the commercial markets that it enables. Applications include characterizing the atmosphere for more accurate weather forecasting and predictive space launches; detecting particulate in the atmosphere for aircraft routing, maintenance, and operations; and detecting short range air data and turbulence to improve flight safety. I’ll discuss the current status of Honeywell’s efforts, the technical challenges they face, and future trends where industry investment could enable further advancements.
BIOGRAPHY
Josh is a director of engineering in Honeywell Aerospace Advanced and Applied Technology. He is currently leading the Advanced Sensing and Microsystems (ASM) organization, which focuses on research and development for next-generation sensors, centered around the core technology areas of MEMS, LiDAR, Optical and Atomic physics, and integrated silicon photonics. Applications primarily include navigation, atmospheric sensing, and precision timing to support the Navigation & Sensors and Space businesses. Josh holds a PhD and an A.M in Physics from Harvard University, where his thesis work improved state of the art techniques for measuring the magnetic moment of a single, trapped electron. He also holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics from the Colorado School of Mines. He is an author on 7 granted US patents with an additional 4 filed with the USPTO under consideration. When Josh isn’t managing or inventing technology, he enjoys hiking, cycling, bird watching (and photography!) or any other activity that combines learning, adventure, and the outdoors.