Patent ID: 8379190

Claim:
A resonant scanner for three-dimensional (3D) mapping, the resonant scanner comprising: a laser detection and ranging (LADAR) laser and sensor; a scanner platform, wherein the LADAR laser and sensor are mounted on the scanner platform; a pivot, wherein the scanner platform is mounted on the pivot; a spring, wherein the spring is connected to the scanner platform and causes the scanner platform to resonate about the pivot; a position sensor, wherein the position sensor is attached to the scanner platform in order to determine the tilt position and resonance rate of the scanner platform; an actuator, wherein the actuator is attached to the scanner platform and applies torque to the scanner platform; a controller, wherein the controller is connected to the position sensor and the actuator in a feedback loop configuration and is used to control the resonance of the scanner platform, wherein the scanner platform has an inertia J, and the spring has a spring constant K, and wherein the scanner platform resonates at an angular frequency ω n = K J ; and a signal generator, wherein the signal generator is connected to the controller, wherein the signal generator provides a periodic signal at an angular frequency ω≈ω n .