Title :
A Model for the Simulation of a Pulsed Laser Line Scan System
Author :
Shirron, Joseph J. ; Giddings, Thomas E.
Author_Institution :
Metron Inc., Reston, VA
Abstract :
Several underwater electro-optical (EO) imaging systems are currently available for both civilian and military use. One type of EO sensor, the laser line scan (LLS) sensor, uses a narrow collimated beam to scan the ocean floor, sweeping out lines as the sensor platform moves through the water. Current LLS systems use a continuous laser beam, and mitigate the laser volume backscatter by offsetting the laser source from the collector. An LLS system that uses a pulsed laser beam is currently under development. The pulsed system can also reduce the collection of laser backscatter by time gating the collector aperture so as to block light during specified time intervals. We present a detailed numerical model for the return signal for the pulsed LLS system and make some rudimentary comparisons between the projected performance for the pulsed and continuous wave variants of the LLS system. We find that the pulsed LLS system has the potential to significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio relative to the continuous LLS system
Keywords :
laser beam applications; oceanographic equipment; underwater optics; LLS sensor; LLS systems; continuous laser beam; continuous wave variants; laser backscatter collection; laser source; laser volume backscatter; narrow collimated beam; ocean floor scan; pulsed laser beam; pulsed laser line scan system; pulsed wave variants; sensor platform; signal-to-noise ratio; underwater electro-optical imaging system; Apertures; Backscatter; Collimators; Laser beams; Laser modes; Lasers and electrooptics; Numerical models; Oceans; Optical pulses; Signal to noise ratio;
Conference_Titel :
OCEANS 2006
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0114-3
Electronic_ISBN :
1-4244-0115-1
DOI :
10.1109/OCEANS.2006.307097
