Range-gated underwater laser imaging system based on intensified gate imaging technology

摘要

The range-gated laser imaging technology can eliminate the backscattering noise and has a range of from 4 to 6 times that of a conventional camera with floodlights in the strongly scattering waters, which becomes a useful technique in oceanic research, deep-sea exploration, underwater remote control and robotic works. The characteristics of range-gated underwater laser imaging were analyzed in this paper, and the basic requirements for gated ICCD were presented. As a result, Gated Gen II+ Image Intensifier and progressive scanning CCD were assembled together to meet the requirements, which was called the Gate Intensified CCD camera. Combined with the small-sized programmable high voltage power supply, video image acquisition/control system and high power lamp-Pumped blue-green Nd:YAG pulse laser, the experimental system was developed. Experiments were carried out in pipes full of saturated salt water and large pools. When tested by USAF 1951 resolution target, the detecting range can extend to about 30 meters.