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Lidar and Optical Communications Institute

Air Force Center of Excellence for Lidar Research, Graduate Study

The University of Dayton Lidar and Optical Communications Institute is a U.S. Air Force Center of Excellence for laser radar (lidar) research and graduate study. It is a collaboration between UD and the lidar/FSOC communities, in addition to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) — both of which are located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, about 20 minutes from UD's Main Campus.

Free space laser communication (FSOC) comes under the Institute's purview, since many aspects of lidar and FSOC are synergistic. The Institute performs advanced laser-radar research in pre-competitive areas. We seek and encourage industry participation and fulfill educational needs as well as develop research directions. UD provides graduate education in these areas through the Electro-Optics (M.S.) and Electro-Optics (Ph.D.) degrees.

Fast Facts

Affiliate Membership

available for industry sponsors

Electro-Optics

M.S. and Ph.D. programs at UD

Research and Education

The goal of the Lidar and Optical Communications Institute is to develop an Air Force Center of Excellence in lidar and laser communication research and education. The Institute collaborates with the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop and implement research programs that integrate students and faculty into the research and technology development. The Institute also works with the Air Force Institute of Technology to develop relevant curriculum, construct and maintain state-of-the-art laboratories at UD, and develop and cultivate industrial and academic partnerships.

Student wearing protective eyewear in a lab space

About Lidar and Optical Communications Institute

Our Mission

The Lidar and Optical Communications Institute serves the lidar and free space optical communications community by developing highly qualified engineers for leadership in the field. They conduct research on component technology to demonstrate unprecedented sensing, tracking, identification and access to information.

Our Affiliates

Lidar and Optical Communications Institute membership is made up of representatives from the Institute's constituencies: government (AFRL and AFIT), UD, and industry. Industry membership requires a donation of $250,000, which may be contributed at a minimum level of $50,000 per year for five years. Initially, the funds were used to endow an Institute-chaired professor. UD also contributed $1.5 Million towards the endowed chair position. The membership fee provides lifetime membership with a voting seat on the Board of Governors (BOG) and membership in UD's John Stuart Society (a giving society that honors cumulative giving to UD of $100,000 or more).

  • The BOG Chair position will come from industry sponsors; term is one year.
  • The BOG will determine conditions for membership beyond the founding members.

Our Partners

Companies that partner with the Lidar and Optical Communications Institute include:

  • BAE Systems
  • The Boeing Company
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Raytheon
  • Textron Systems
Contact Lidar and Optical Communications Institute
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2950
937-229-3921 email

Meet the Director

Dr. Paul McManamon is Technical Director of UD's Lidar and Optical Communications Institue and a faculty member in the School of Engineering Department of Electro-Optics and Photonics.

Meet Dr. McManamon