Maximum-likelihood reconstruction of photon returns from simultaneous analog and photon-counting lidar measurements

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new maximum-likelihood method for integrating analog and photon-counting lidar data, improving photon return reconstruction without relying on arbitrary overlap or background subtraction.

Contribution

It develops a statistically rigorous approach that enhances existing methods for combining lidar measurements, accounting for their distinct properties.

Findings

Improved photon return reconstruction accuracy

Elimination of ad hoc overlap definitions

Enhanced lidar data integration

Abstract

We present a novel method for combining the analog and photon-counting measurements of lidar transient recorders into reconstructed photon returns. The method takes into account the statistical properties of the two measurement modes and estimates the most likely number of arriving photons and the most likely values of acquisition parameters describing the two measurement modes. It extends and improves the standard combining ("gluing") methods and does not rely on any ad hoc definitions of the overlap region nor on any ackground subtraction methods.