Structured-light-based high-resolution and high-dynamic-range optical underwater ranging

In unmanned underwater vehicles and underwater sensor networks underwater ranging is becoming of increasing importance. Laser-based ranging techniques offer the potential of high resolution and high speed. However, the challenging underwater environments could limit the performance of the optical ranging system. Specifically, (a) dynamic scattering particles distorts the optical beam in both time and space which limits ranging resolution and the maximum ranging distance, and (b) turbulence further distorts the wavefront of the optical beam and thus affects the ranging resolution. R-DEX Systems (R-DEX) proposes to build on the success of the Phase I and continue to team with its strategic partner to increase the TRL of the proposed technology and to experimentally demonstrate the scientific, technical, and commercial potential of the proposed high-resolution and high-dynamic-range underwater optical ranging platform.