Underwater 3D Imaging Laser Sensor

Abstract

We developed for underwater 3D imaging a scanning laser sensor that has a dome lens and coaxial optics to realize a wide-scanning-angle. Our sensor also has a feature in the sensitivity time control (STC) circuit that detects small signals by suppressing the unwanted signals backscattered by marine snows. We demonstrated the system performance in a pool and confirmed a 3D imaging a maximum distance of 20 m. We mounted our system on an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and demonstrated seafloor mapping at the depth of 100 m in the ocean.