Active Imaging through Fog

For this Phase 1 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project, Blackmore Sensors and Analytics and university partner Montana State University will investigate the use of coherent frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) ladar/lidar and digital holography techniques for improved performance of active imaging through fog. Coherent range, Doppler, and polarization selective digital holography (DH) will be investigated for isolating the coherent direct ballistic photons received from the target from the incoherent scattered photons that lead to large background, decreased contrast, and image blurring. Coherent polarimetric imaging will be investigated to improve the reach of the DH imaging systems. To cue the narrower field-of-view DH imaging system with target location and Doppler tracking needed to maintain long coherence times, Blackmore’s high resolution, coherent FMCW scanning lidar system will be utilized and optimized for operation in marine fog environments. In addition, the photon link budgets for active imaging through fog with coherent imaging technology will be validated with fog tunnel and natural fog tests using this mature system, providing high confidence models for the design of a Phase 2 prototype system. Fog measurements will include extinction, absorption, and scattering in different fog conditions.