Xref: utzoo rec.autos:25572 sci.electronics:8710 misc.consumers:14987
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!shadooby!mailrus!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!bhb3
From: BHB3@PSUVM.BITNET
Newsgroups: rec.autos,sci.electronics,misc.consumers
Subject: the laser speed measuring device
Message-ID: <89325.164006BHB3@PSUVM.BITNET>
Date: 21 Nov 89 21:40:06 GMT
Organization: Penn State University
Lines: 71

I finally got the long awaited information I requested on the laser speed
measuring device(laser radar) that is/will be being tested soon by many police
agencies throughout the country.  The following is the entire un-edited text
of the information bulletin send out by Internation Measurement to police
departments.

                     LASER SPEED GUN

International Measurement and Control Company has developed five laser-based
measuring and positioning systems over the last three years.  Most recently
the company developed a laser that is being used by the U.S. Navy in a
sophisticated missle test system.  THE IMC laser is mounted in one aircraft
and used to track another aircraft.  The laser provides a continuous update as
to the distance detween the two aircraft.  Through the design of this and other
laser systems IMC has developed the capability to produce a laser that can be
used to measure car velocity.  The laser you are seeing today is almost
identical to the laser used by the Navy.  We have modified it to measure
velocity, but it is by no means a final product.  The final product will be
smaller, lighter, and quciker.  Extensive work is being dome that will provide
safeguards to guarantee accurate readings.

It is our understanding that the law enforcement community has been seeking a
method for positive identification of vehicles as they are being clocked.  The
laser instrument provides this capability as you will witness today.  The
instrument must be aimed through a scope similar to a rifle, therefore the
officer using the instrument knows exactly which car is being targeted.  Laser
cannot be detected by radar detectors and is not vulnerable to radio interfer-
ence.  In addition it would be very difficult to develop a laser detector
because of the laser's inherent narrow beam.  The instrument will distinguish
between an approachin and departing target which would enable clocking of
a car moving the same direction while in transit.

Below please find the projected specifications of the IMC laser which will
be released within the next 6 - 9 months:


                 SPECIFICATIONS

(1) RANGE    1000-2000 feet
(2) TARGET SPEED +/- 200 mph
    ACCURACY +/- 1 mph
    AQUISITION TIME 0.5 seconds
    BEAM WIDTH 4 ft. at 1000 ft. range
    WEIGHT 5 lbs.
    SIZE 4" X 6" X 7"
    EYE SAFETY  FDA Class 1/CFR 21

(1) The range will vary depending upon the reflective qualities of the target
surface.
(2) The system will give a positive speed reading for an approaching target
and a negative reading for a departing target.  It will also give an accurate
zero reading.

International Measurement . 200 E. Mineral #5 . Littleton, Colorado 80122
(303) 797-7722

End of Text

This demo bulleting is about 3 months old so the 6 - 9 month time frame is
about 3 - 6 months now.  The rumor mill is that the Michigan State Police and
a
the Kansas State Police have test units already.  The unit initially will
probably only be used from a stationary police vehicle, since a way of
determining the police vehicles speed would be necessary.  They would have to
use their radar unit for that, which would defeat the purpose of the device
anyway.  The company rep I talked to said the device would cost $3000.  The
moral of the post is don't throw away your radar detectors for a long time,
just don't try to think they will be foolproof.


                                               Brent H. Besler