Effect on maximum distance critical value of laser rangefinders with atmospheric turbulence

Ranging distance was one of the most important index of laser rangefinders. However, it could be affected by the atmospheric turbulence. Effect on maximum distance critical value of laser rangefinders with atmospheric turbulence was discussed. Firstly, the atmospheric structure constant of refractive index (C2n) of specific area was monitoring and the variable regularity was analyzed. With the assumption that the target was the small target, the power of small target was calculated. Then, the receiving power of detector was obtained. Lastly, the maximum distance critical value with the same visibility and different turbulence intensity was got. When the refractive index (C2n) was 5×10-15m-2/3, 5×10-14 m-2/3, 5×10-13 m-2/3 and 5×10-12 m-2/3, the maximum distance critical value was 1900m, 1850m, 1850-1810m and 1810m. It could be generalized that the maximum distance critical value of laser rangefinders could be affected by the atmospheric turbulence.