Electro-optical undersea laser camera able to take clear images in murky waters may be introduced soon
MARSEILLE, France – An underwater 3D laser camera designed to map the sea bed, help monitor fish stocks, and detect marine pollution is expected to launch commercially this year. Optics.org reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
9 July 2019 -- Developed under the 5.7-million-Euro “UTOFIA” project, part of Europe’s Horizon 2020 innovation program, the camera is being described as a “game-changer” for maritime applications.
The camera system is said to use a combination of innovative technologies to obtain clear images in low-visibility environments, overcoming the problem of back-scatter caused by light reflecting off particles suspended in the water.
Instead of using a continuous-wave source of light, the UTOFIA system emits nanosecond laser pulses that are range-gated by an optical shutter and simple camera sensor to yield time-of-flight data, enhanced by software capable of distinguishing any back-scattered noise.
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John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
