LRF0816C 8km 1535nm Eye-Safe Multi-Pulse Laser Rangefinder Module for Security Monitoring, UAV and Thermal Imaging

Product Description

LRF0816C 8km 1535nm Eye-Safe Multi-Pulse Laser Rangefinder Module for Security Monitoring, UAV and Thermal Imaging

The LRF0816C is a Class I 1535nm eye-safe laser rangefinder module developed on ERDI’s self-designed erbium-glass laser platform. It uses multi-pulse time-of-flight ranging to deliver stable long-range performance while keeping power, size and weight within the limits required by security cameras, UAV gimbals, thermal imagers and smart industrial systems.

Operating at a wavelength of 1535±5nm with a divergence of ≤0.3mrad and pulse energy of ≥300µJ, the LRF0816C combines narrow beam geometry with high pulse energy. The transmit aperture is Φ12mm and the receive aperture is Φ25mm. Under 30% target reflectance and ≥10km visibility, the module achieves a NATO target (2.3m×2.3m) range of ≥8000m and a human-sized target (0.5m×1.7m) range of ≥1500m, with a minimum range of ≤50m. Ranging accuracy is ±2m, resolution is ≤0.1m, the precision (valid hit) rate is ≥98%, and the false-alarm rate is ≤1%, with up to three targets detected in a single measurement.

The LRF0816C supports a 1–10Hz ranging frequency, with both single-shot and continuous modes. Multi-target capability allows first, last and multi-target logic, which is critical in cluttered scenes such as urban corridors, forest edges or layered traffic environments where multiple returns are present.

Electrically, the module runs from a DC 4.5–16V supply. Standby power consumption is ≤1mW, average power is ≤4W, and peak power is ≤14W @12V, matching the needs of SWaP-constrained payloads that still require 8km-class performance. Communication is via a UART (TTL 3.3V) interface using an A1257WR-S-6P connector with dedicated pins for power, ground, POWER_ON, UART_TX and UART_RX. Supported baud rates are 115200bps (factory default), 57600bps and 9600bps, with a simple packet structure based on a 0xEE 0x16 frame header and device code 0x03.

Through the command set, the host system can perform equipment self-test, trigger single or continuous ranging, select first/last/multi-target mode, set and query baud rate, configure continuous ranging frequency, define minimum and maximum gating distances, query FPGA/MCU/hardware versions, read the serial number and monitor both the total number of laser shots and the number of shots for the current power-on session. These diagnostics are particularly useful in long-term security, traffic and industrial deployments where maintenance windows are limited and predictive health monitoring is required.

Mechanically, the LRF0816C is housed in a 65×48×32mm package with a weight of ≤58g±1g, making it suitable for integration inside PTZ domes, roadside enforcement cameras, UAV gimbals, robotic heads, weapon sights and multi-sensor EO/IR pods. It operates from −40 to +70°C and can be stored from −55 to +75°C, and it meets MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration requirements, enabling deployment on airborne, vehicle-mounted and fixed outdoor platforms exposed to long-term mechanical and thermal stress.

From an application perspective, the LRF0816C is not limited to classic rangefinding. Thanks to its 8km NATO capability, multi-pulse TOF processing and eye-safe 1535nm wavelength, it is well-suited for security monitoring, road traffic enforcement, robotic arm positioning, night-vision and thermal-imaging fusion, UAV navigation and altitude/obstacle sensing, weapon sights, golf and outdoor hunting optics, engineering surveying and even smart-facility sensing such as intelligent grain storage bins, where robust distance information and eye safety are equally important.

For systems that require a sealed front window—such as outdoor security housings or environmental monitoring stations—ERDI recommends using an optical window with AR coating optimized for 1525–1545nm and transmittance ≥99%. After applying any additional environmental coatings (hydrophobic or hard coat) and final mechanical assembly, overall transmittance should remain ≥97%. The optical window’s effective aperture, outer diameter, thickness (2–4mm) and spacing to the rangefinder must follow the geometry guidelines to minimize absorption and back-reflection, and the emission axis should be aligned within 2–4° of the window normal with the air gap kept as small as possible.