“Drone Detection Series” Laser Rangefinder Module: The “Intelligent Eye” in Counter-UAV Systems

1. Introduction

With the rapid advancement of technology, drones have become widely used, bringing both convenience and new security challenges. Counter-drone measures have become a key focus of governments and industries worldwide. As drone technology becomes more accessible, unauthorized flights and even threat-carrying incidents occur frequently. Ensuring clear airspace at airports, safeguarding major events, and protecting critical infrastructure now face unprecedented challenges. Countering drones has become an urgent necessity for maintaining low-altitude security.

Laser-based counter-drone technologies break through the limitations of traditional defense methods. Leveraging the speed of light, they enable precise targeting with lower operational costs. Their development is driven by the growing asymmetric threats and rapid generational shifts in technology.

Laser Rangefinder Modules play a decisive role in ensuring target location accuracy and strike effectiveness in laser-based counter-drone systems. Their high-precision ranging, multi-sensor collaboration, and reliable performance in complex environments provide the technical foundation for “detect to lock, lock to destroy” capabilities. An advanced laser rangefinder is truly the “intelligent eye” of the counter-drone system.

2. Product Overview

The Lumispot “Drone Detection Series” laser rangefinder module adopts cutting-edge laser ranging technology, offering meter-level accuracy for precisely tracking small drones such as quadcopters and fixed-wing UAVs. Due to their small size and high maneuverability, traditional rangefinding methods are easily disrupted. This module, however, uses narrow-pulse laser emission and a highly sensitive receiving system, along with intelligent signal processing algorithms that effectively filter out environmental noise (e.g., sunlight interference, atmospheric scattering). As a result, it delivers stable high-precision data even in complex scenarios. Its fast response time also allows it to track fast-moving targets, making it ideal for real-time ranging tasks such as counter-drone operations and surveillance.

3. Core Product Advantages

The “Drone Detection Series” laser rangefinder modules are built on Lumispot’s self-developed 1535nm erbium glass lasers. They are specifically designed for drone detection applications with optimized beam divergence parameters. Not only do they support customization of beam divergence according to user needs, but the receiving system is also optimized to match the divergence specs. This product line offers flexible configurations to meet a variety of user scenarios. Key features include:

① Wide Power Supply Range:
Voltage input of 5V to 28V supports handheld, gimbal-mounted, and vehicle-mounted platforms.

② Versatile Communication Interfaces:

Short-distance internal communication (MCU to sensor) → TTL (simple, low-cost)

Medium-to-long-distance transmission (rangefinder to control station) → RS422 (anti-interference, full-duplex)

Multi-device networking (e.g., UAV swarms, vehicle systems) → CAN (high reliability, multi-node)

③ Selectable Beam Divergence:
Beam divergence options range from 0.7 mrad to 8.5 mrad, adaptable to different targeting precision requirements.

④ Ranging Capability:
For small UAV targets (e.g., DJI Phantom 4 with RCS of just 0.2m × 0.3m), this series supports range detection up to 3 km.

⑤ Optional Accessories:
Modules can be equipped with a 905nm rangefinder, 532nm (green), or 650nm (red) indicators to assist with blind zone detection at close range, aiming assistance, and optical axis calibration in multi-axis systems.

⑥ Lightweight and Portable Design:
Compact and integrated design (≤104mm × 61mm × 74mm, ≤250g) supports fast deployment and easy integration with handheld devices, vehicles, or UAV platforms.

⑦ Low Power Consumption with High Accuracy:
Standby power consumption is only 0.3W, with average operating power at just 6W. Supports 18650 battery power supply. Delivers high-accuracy results with a distance measurement precision of ≤±1.5m over the full range.

⑧ Strong Environmental Adaptability:
Engineered for complex operational environments, the module boasts excellent shock, vibration, temperature (-40℃ to +60℃), and interference resistance. It ensures stable and reliable performance in demanding conditions for continuous, accurate measurement.

4. About Us

Lumispot is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of laser pump sources, light sources, and laser application systems for specialized fields. Our product lineup includes a wide range of semiconductor lasers (405 nm to 1570 nm), line laser illumination systems, laser rangefinder modules (1 km to 70 km), high-energy solid-state laser sources (10 mJ to 200 mJ), continuous and pulsed Fiber Lasers, as well as optical fiber coils (32mm to 120mm) with and without frames for various precision levels of fiber optic gyroscopes.

Our products are widely applied in electro-optical reconnaissance, LiDAR, inertial navigation, remote sensing, counter-terrorism, low-altitude security, railway inspection, gas detection, machine vision, industrial solid-state/fiber laser pumping, laser medical systems, information security, and other specialized industries.

Lumispot holds certifications including ISO9000, FDA, CE, and RoHS. We are recognized as a national-level “Little Giant” enterprise for specialized and innovative development. We have received honors such as the Jiangsu Province Enterprise Doctoral Talent Program and provincial-level innovation talent awards. Our R&D centers include the Jiangsu Province High-Power Semiconductor Laser Engineering Research Center and a provincial graduate workstation. We undertake major national and provincial R&D tasks during China’s 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans, including key technology initiatives from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

At Lumispot, we prioritize R&D and product quality, guided by the principles of prioritizing customer interests, continuous innovation, and employee growth. Standing at the forefront of laser technology, we aim to lead industrial upgrades and are committed to becoming a global leader in specialized laser information technologies.