A LADAR apparatus, a method of use associated therewith, and a method for
remotely sensing targets in a field of view are disclosed. In the method,
a target in a field of view is remotely sensed using a LADAR signal whose
pixel spatial resolution is varied to achieve a desired pixel spatial
resolution for the transmitted LADAR signal on the target. One way to do
this is by rolling a LADAR signal to achieve the desired pixel spatial
resolution at a given range then de-rolling the received reflection. This
could involve, for instance, rolling the LADAR signal from a first angle
at which it is generated to a second angle at which it is transmitted,
and then receiving the reflection at that second angle and de-rolling it
to the first angle again for detection. The LADAR apparatus could include
a number of means for implementing this functionality. One particular
apparatus that is suitable includes a LADAR signal transmitter; a
transmission path; a receive path; a receiver; and an optical
roll/de-roll mechanism. The optical roll/de-roll mechanism is capable of
rolling the LADAR signal before transmission to achieve a desired pixel
spatial resolution for the transmitted LADAR signal at a given range and
de-rolling the reflection prior to detection.