公开(公告)号：US5164823A

公开(公告)日：1992-11-17

申请号：US632329

申请日：1990-12-21

申请人： R. Norris Keeler

发明人： R. Norris Keeler

IPC分类号： G01S7/32 ,  G01S7/48 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/02 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H01S3/115 ,  H04N17/06

CPC分类号： G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H01S3/115

摘要： An imaging lidar system is presented which employs a multipulse multiple gating system which is particularly well suited for underwater imaging. The imaging lidar system of this invention utilizes a multipulse Q-switched laser operating within the pumping envelope of discharging flash lamps (or other means) to cumulatively illuminate a single frame on a camera (e.g., CCD camera) while the camera is gated repetitively so that each pulse is "observed" at the same depth; that is, the gated camera views that same illuminated area in the ocean. The sequence is repeated at a frequency which is both the laser pulse repetition rate and the camera frame rate. The present invention also allows the use of multiple cameras with frame addition or with frames processed separately. As a result, energy is extracted from the laser in the form of short (1-10 nsec) pulses by rapidly Q-switching during the time the laser is being pumped by the flashlamps. Provisions are made for subtracting solar noise during daylight, if necessary. The present invention thus provides a technique for extracting the maximum energy from the laser in the form of these short pulses.

公开(公告)号：US5029009A

公开(公告)日：1991-07-02

申请号：US365133

申请日：1989-06-12

申请人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Kent Phlibsen

发明人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Kent Phlibsen

IPC分类号： G01S7/486 ,  G01S17/93

CPC分类号： G01S17/933 ,  G01S7/4863

摘要： Variable time delay range gating across an image is accomplished using a single imaging camera. In a preferred embodiment, the imaging camera of the present invention accomplishes adapted range gating and comprises a lens which focuses light onto a substrate having an array of gating electrodes mounted thereon. Both the electrode array and substrate are transparent to light so that the light focussed by the lens passes through the electrode array and substrate to strike a photocathode. The camera of this invention also includes a multiple output power supply connected between the electrode array and a microchannel plate amplifier, an anode, and an imaging array detector which is connected to the anode through a fiber optic bundle. The imaging camera of the present invention will effect adaptive range gating for overcoming the intensity variations and imaging plane problems associated with known light imaging detection and range (lidar) systems.

摘要翻译： 使用单个成像摄像机可以实现跨图像的可变时间延迟范围。 在优选实施例中，本发明的成像照相机实现了适合的范围门控，并且包括将光聚焦到具有安装在其上的门控电极阵列的基板上的透镜。 电极阵列和衬底对光是透明的，使得由透镜聚焦的光通过电极阵列和衬底以照射光电阴极。 本发明的照相机还包括连接在电极阵列和微通道板放大器之间的多输出电源，阳极和通过光纤束连接到阳极的成像阵列检测器。 本发明的成像照相机将实现自适应范围门控，以克服与已知的光成像检测和范围（激光雷达）系统相关联的强度变化和成像平面问题。

公开(公告)号：US5311272A

公开(公告)日：1994-05-10

申请号：US753177

申请日：1991-08-30

申请人： Kirk Daniels ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Michael A. Cantor

发明人： Kirk Daniels ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Michael A. Cantor

IPC分类号： G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01C3/08

CPC分类号： G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/89

摘要： Deployed, air dropped buoys are presented which can be used as calibrated targets for imaging lidar systems. In this way, oceanographic optical measurements can be made to determine in advance how an imaging lidar system will perform at the time of its deployment. This calibrated optical buoy is deployable from an airborne platform. The target is illuminated by an imaging lidar system and the target reflection is compared with the backscattering from the ocean volume illuminated. At the same time, measurements of light intensity are carried out to provide a direct measurement of the attenuation in the ocean. These data are taken at all depths and the results telemetered to the airborne lidar platform. In addition, a simplified embodiment is presented which uses the imaging lidar system to obtain both backscatter and attenuation. This simplified embodiment requires no telemetry.

摘要翻译： 提出了部署的空气浮标，可用作激光雷达系统成像的校准目标。 以这种方式，可以进行海洋光学测量以预先确定成像激光雷达系统在其部署时将如何执行。 该校准光学浮标可从机载平台部署。 目标由成像激光雷达系统照亮，并将目标反射与照射的海洋体积的后向散射进行比较。 同时，进行光强度的测量以提供对海洋中衰减的直接测量。 这些数据在各个深度都被采集，结果遥测到机载激光雷达平台。 另外，提出了使用成像激光雷达系统获得反向散射和衰减的简化实施例。 这个简化的实施例不需要遥测。

公开(公告)号：US5233415A

公开(公告)日：1993-08-03

申请号：US688928

申请日：1991-04-19

申请人： Melvin P. French ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Michael V. Finn

发明人： Melvin P. French ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Michael V. Finn

IPC分类号： G01S17/89

CPC分类号： G01S17/89

摘要： An imaging lidar system is presented which utilizes internal or external transmitter beam pattern referencing for improved imaging lidar performance. In general, the present invention samples the laser output at or near the source to obtain a reference of the signal intensity distribution. This reference signal includes any anomalous spatial intensity distributions (associated with the output of the laser transmitter) which can then be discounted or subtracted out from the signals received from the target area of interest.

摘要翻译： 提出了一种成像激光雷达系统，其利用内部或外部发射机波束图案参考以改善成像激光雷达性能。 通常，本发明在源处或附近对激光输出进行采样以获得信号强度分布的参考。 该参考信号包括任何异常的空间强度分布（与激光发射器的输出相关联），其然后可以从从目标感兴趣区域接收的信号中被折扣或减去。

公开(公告)号：US5192978A

公开(公告)日：1993-03-09

申请号：US761065

申请日：1991-09-17

申请人： R. Norris Keeler

发明人： R. Norris Keeler

IPC分类号： G01S7/493 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G02B27/28

CPC分类号： G01S7/493 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S7/4811 ,  G02B27/28

摘要： The present invention employs an optical filter which rejects substantially all wavelengths except for a selected wavelength. This invention eliminates most optical noise (e.g., solar noise) in LIDAR (light detection and ranging) imaging systems as well as LIDAR bathymetry systems and underwater submarine communication systems. The selected wavelength corresponds to the transmission wavelength of the laser. In accordance with the LIDAR systems of the present invention, a laser beam of the selected wavelength is projected at a body of water wherein a return beam is generated. The reflected or backscattered return beam is collected by optics which then directs the beam at the filter. The beam is filtered so that substantially all other wavelengths not corresponding to the selected wavelength are rejected, thereby eliminating most optical noise, particularly solar noise. The filtered beam is then detected. In accordance with the underwater communication system of the present invention, an encoded laser beam of the selected wavelength is projected at an underwear location (e.g., submarine). This beam is collected by optics which then directs the beam at the filter. Again, the beam is filtered so that substantially all other wavelengths not corresponding to the selected wavelength are rejected, thereby eliminating most optical noise, particularly solar noise. The filtered beam is then detected and provides a signal to be decoded.

摘要翻译： 本发明采用滤光器，其基本上拒绝所选择的波长以外的所有波长。 本发明消除了LIDAR（光检测和测距）成像系统以及LIDAR测深系统和水下潜艇通信系统中的大多数光噪声（例如太阳能噪声）。 所选择的波长对应于激光的透射波长。 根据本发明的激光雷达（LIDAR）系统，所选择的波长的激光束投射在产生返回光束的水体上。 反射或反向散射的返回光束由光学器件收集，然后光束将滤光器引导。 对光束进行滤波，使得基本上不对应于所选波长的所有其它波长被拒绝，从而消除大多数光噪声，特别是太阳能噪声。 然后检测滤波后的光束。 根据本发明的水下通信系统，将所选波长的编码激光束投射在内衣位置（例如，潜艇）。 该光束由光学器件收集，然后光束在滤光器处引导。 再次，对光束进行滤波，使得基本上不对应于所选波长的所有其它波长被拒绝，由此消除大多数光噪声，特别是太阳能噪声。 然后检测滤波后的光束，并提供要解码的信号。

公开(公告)号：US5091778A

公开(公告)日：1992-02-25

申请号：US632377

申请日：1990-12-21

申请人： R. Norris Keeler

发明人： R. Norris Keeler

IPC分类号： G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H01S3/07 ,  H01S3/094 ,  H01S3/0941 ,  H01S3/106 ,  H01S3/11 ,  H01S3/115 ,  H01S3/23 ,  H04B13/02

CPC分类号： H01S3/082 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S7/484 ,  H01S3/07 ,  H01S3/094034 ,  H01S3/0941 ,  H01S3/106 ,  H01S3/115 ,  H04B13/02

摘要： The present invention uses tunable and fixed frequency lasers as an optical light source in imaging laser detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems. This invention provides a high energy, short pulse length laser output which is tunable to or set at a desired wavelength. The tuning is used for performance optimization of lidar system; and for scientific investigations carried out using these systems. An example of performance optimization is the tuning to or setting of the laser at the so-called Jerlov minimum, which is dependent upon the optical characteristics of the particular water used. The improved system may be used for scientific investigation, such as determining K.sub.s (the frequency-dependent optical attenuation coefficient) in the ocean at depth, as well as imaging various opaque objects under battlefield conditions, at depth. This invention has the effect of significantly improving the optical signal to noise ratio for all of these applications.

摘要翻译： 本发明在成像激光检测和测距（LIDAR）系统中使用可调谐和固定频率的激光器作为光学光源。 本发明提供可调谐或设定在期望波长的高能量，短脉冲长度的激光输出。 调谐用于激光雷达系统的性能优化; 并使用这些系统进行科学调查。 性能优化的一个例子是在所谓的Jerlov最小值下调谐或设置激光器，这取决于所使用的特定水的光学特性。 改进的系统可用于科学研究，如深度测定海洋中的Ks（频率依赖光衰减系数），以及在战场条件下对各种不透明物体进行成像。 本发明具有显着提高所有这些应用的光信噪比的效果。

公开(公告)号：US5276632A

公开(公告)日：1994-01-04

申请号：US565480

申请日：1990-08-10

申请人： Thomas L. Corwin ,  Henry R. Richardson ,  Stanley D. Kuo ,  Tom A. Stefanick ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Kent Pflibsen ,  Lonnie K. Calmes

发明人： Thomas L. Corwin ,  Henry R. Richardson ,  Stanley D. Kuo ,  Tom A. Stefanick ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Kent Pflibsen ,  Lonnie K. Calmes

IPC分类号： G01S7/48 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G06K9/32 ,  G06G7/48

CPC分类号： G06K9/3241 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S7/4802

摘要： A novel data processing technique is provided for employing a physical model as an element in a process for automatic target detection of a target viewed by an imaging lidar system. The present invention obtains estimates for the mean and variance of the probability distributions for random video levels which are output from a camera. These estimates are obtained under various assumptions about the state of the target.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种新颖的数据处理技术，用于在物体模型作为用于由成像激光雷达系统观看的目标的自动目标检测的过程中的元件。 本发明获得从相机输出的随机视频电平的概率分布的均值和方差的估计。 这些估计是在关于目标状态的各种假设下获得的。

公开(公告)号：US5457639A

公开(公告)日：1995-10-10

申请号：US774663

申请日：1991-10-11

申请人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  John McLean ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Kirk J. Daniels

发明人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  John McLean ,  R. Norris Keeler ,  Kirk J. Daniels

IPC分类号： G01S7/487 ,  G01S17/66 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H04N7/00 ,  G01S7/40

CPC分类号： G01S7/487 ,  G01S17/107 ,  G01S17/66 ,  G01S17/89

摘要： An imaging lidar system for underwater applications is presented which is well suited for imaging and detecting underwater targets suspended above and on the bottom in shallow and coastal water. The present invention provides the capability for rapid and reliable search, detection, classification and localization of objects in the surf zone which may present hazards to navigation and utilization of coastal areas as well as undesirable effluents and biological fouling of underwater objects. The present invention provides an improved bottom tracker, improved ability to deal with brightness variation and surface glint, and computerized real time detection algorithms.

摘要翻译： 提出了一种用于水下应用的成像激光雷达系统，非常适合于在浅层和沿海水中悬浮在上方和下方的水下目标的成像和检测。 本发明提供了在冲浪区域中快速可靠地搜索，检测，分类和定位物体的能力，这可能对沿海地区的导航和利用以及不期望的水下物体的流出物和生物污染造成危害。 本发明提供了一种改进的底部跟踪器，改善了处理亮度变化和表面闪烁的能力以及计算机化的实时检测算法。

公开(公告)号：US5384589A

公开(公告)日：1995-01-24

申请号：US83015

申请日：1993-06-25

申请人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  Duane Smith ,  R. Norris Keeler

发明人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  Duane Smith ,  R. Norris Keeler

IPC分类号： G01J3/28 ,  G01J3/44 ,  G01N21/64 ,  G01N21/65 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/02 ,  G01S17/89 ,  H04N5/57 ,  H04N5/58 ,  H04N7/22

CPC分类号： G01J3/2823 ,  G01J3/44 ,  G01N21/64 ,  G01N21/65 ,  G01S17/02 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S7/4811 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01N2021/655 ,  G01N21/6456

摘要： An imaging UV/visible fluorosensing and Raman lidar system comprises an optical sensor for simultaneously measuring temporally, spatially and spectrally resolved laser backscatter from on the land, on or beneath the surface of bodies of water and in the atmosphere that utilizes "active" interrogation or "passive" interrogation for remotely and non-destructively probing the spectrally-dependent optical properties of a scene. In the "active" mode, the optical sensor comprises a transmitter (preferably a tunable solid state laser) which emits pulses of coherent light through a variable or adjustable field-of-view telescope whereupon the light pulses are then propagated towards a scene (e.g., land, sea or atmosphere). Thereafter, laser backscatter is collected by a second variable field-of-view telescope and directed to an imaging system and spectrally dispersive optical subsystem.

摘要翻译： 成像UV /可见的氟传感和拉曼激光雷达系统包括光学传感器，用于同时测量来自地面上，水体表面上或下方的水体和大气中的时间，空间和光谱分辨的激光反向散射，其利用“主动”询问或 “被动”询问用于远程和非破坏性地探测场景的依赖于光谱的光学性质。 在“主动”模式中，光学传感器包括通过可变或可调视野望远镜发射相干光脉冲的发射器（优选为可调谐固态激光器），于是光脉冲随后传播到场景（例如， ，陆地，海洋或大气）。 此后，通过第二可变视场望远镜收集激光反向散射，并将其导向成像系统和光谱色散光学子系统。

公开(公告)号：US5257085A

公开(公告)日：1993-10-26

申请号：US690767

申请日：1991-04-24

申请人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  Duane Smith ,  R. Norris Keeler

发明人： Bobby L. Ulich ,  Duane Smith ,  R. Norris Keeler

IPC分类号： G01J3/28 ,  G01J3/44 ,  G01N21/64 ,  G01N21/65 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S17/02 ,  G01S17/89

CPC分类号： G01J3/2823 ,  G01J3/44 ,  G01N21/64 ,  G01N21/65 ,  G01S17/02 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S7/4811 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01N2021/655 ,  G01N21/6456

摘要： An imaging UV/visible fluorosensing and Raman lidar system comprises an optical sensor for simultaneously measuring temporally, spatially and spectrally resolved laser backscatter from on the land, on or beneath the surface of bodies of water and in the atmosphere. The present invention utilizes "active" interrogation or "passive" interrogation for remotely and non destructively probing the spectrally-dependent optical properties of a scene. In the "active" mode, the optical sensor of this invention comprises a transmitter (preferably a tunable solid state laser) which emits pulses of coherent light through a variable or adjustable field-of-view telescope whereupon the light pulses are then propagated towards a scene (e.g., land, sea or atmosphere). Thereafter, laser backscatter is collected by a second variable field-of-view telescope and directed to an imaging system and spectrally dispersive optical subsystem.