LIDAR Questions for Fixed Wing Application

Hardware Other Hardware
1

Hi, I want to install a LIDAR on a fixed wing for a basic auto landing system and had two questions.

  1. I am using a Lightware SF11C, which is quite tall. Can I mount this on its side (to make it physically shorter in the drone) then angle a mirror @ 45 to reflect the LIDAR beam down, or will a mirror muck up the works? I have lots of width and depth, but little height to work with.

  2. Do I just aim this strait down (@ -z)? It seems like if doing an auto landing, accuracy may be off when flaring as it would be pointing at different angles, and detecting different heights. Unless Ardu does some basic trig magic using the IMU to pull an angle to correct.