Extended range optical imaging using one and two-dimensional structured illumination

A method is described that uses parallel one or 2-dimensional structured illumination in order to create a light pattern that consists of multiple narrow beam illuminators. The envisioned system uses a range gated, very high power laser, a DLP projection system, and a camera that has the capability to capture an exposure over a very short time (ns). The composite system permits the collection of extended range images with better resolution than possible with typical range gated systems. The performance of the system was explored via simulations that indicate that that in moderately cloudy water the system can achieve good mapping rates with better resolution than traditional range gated imagery where the entire image is obtained at once.