Laser Imaging Video Camera: Sees Through Smoke and Saves Lives
Laser imaging saves lives. Researchers developed laser-imaging video camera technology over a decade ago, not for security purposes but to enable firefighters and other first responders to see through smoke and flames. This technology has since evolved to be utilized by the Navy and has ultimately found applications in several other fields.
The device has generated excitement about its applications, particularly its ability to increase aircraft visibility under adverse conditions. This is due to its ability to penetrate nearly all visual obscurants, including a blaze.
How Laser Imaging Saves Lives and Works
Laser Imaging Video Camera, along with other visibility issues pilots face, the device works by sending out fast pulses of near-infrared (NIR) laser light. Then, opening the aperture, or gate, just in time to catch them after they’ve reflected off the target object. The human eye can’t see wavelengths longer than the color red, or about 700 nm; we refer to wavelengths just longer than red, or 700 nm, as near infrared. Recall that the longer the wavelength, the lower the energy.
Light travels at about one foot per nanosecond (ns or 10-9 seconds), , so the camera might send out a 10-ns pulse of light, then wait about 50 ns to open the gate. In the interval, the light will pass through the obscurant. Which reflects and dissipates some of it, then bounces off of whatever is around 25 feet away and returns to the camera.
Turning on the Camera: Laser Imaging Video Camera Saves Lives
When the camera is turned on, all near-term reflected light disappears. Near-term scattering workers are not blinded. The laser light also scatters less than normal white light by adjusting how long the gate waits to open. Workers trained on camera can reach objects at different distances, up to a few miles. A closer object’s shadow can also make it identifiable. Something near the camera would appear as a silhouette against light reflected from objects farther away. The camera can see through fire because it only catches a few nanoseconds of light from the blaze. Not much compared to the concentrated laser light reflected from the object behind it.
Another way to look through obscurants is with a thermal imager. For example, can see through smoke if it’s cold. The technology doesn’t perform well with fog because water absorbs heat. A thermal imager also cannot penetrate glass. No other system out there can see through a flame sheet. A strobe video camera. Not only did the device present an elegant solution to a difficult problem, but it also demonstrated effectiveness. The superior performance allows laser imaging to save lives.
Technology Transfer
However, the idea is relatively simple; the hardware to make it work is a technological challenge. Under the first two SBIRs developed and refined his current prototype. Developing the hardware, ensuring everything works, and getting all the timings right. Extensive tests will be conducted to determine which surfaces reflect best under various conditions. Commercializing the device for ground applications and using the income to continue developing the technology until it is small enough for use on airplanes. The possibility of perimeter security after spotting workers through dense fog while testing the camera
The camera is triggered by a trip-wire-like laser, which then automatically turns to face the point where the perimeter was breached. Adding another option, on a track for added mobility. Neither the triggering laser nor the laser light from the camera is visible to the human eye. Based on our interactions with laser imaging and some of their early SBIR technology demonstrations, excitement about the possibilities for this camera.
Refining Technology: Laser Imaging Video Camera
Researchers and developers have already shown interest in refining the technology for use in aviation and a host of other applications. They customize each system depending on the distance to the perimeter and other factors.
When the camera turns on, all that near-term reflected light disappears. Getting rid of the near-term scattering so that people can see. The laser light also scatters less than normal white light. By adjusting the time that the gate waits to open, people trained the camera on objects at different distances. It can reach up to a couple of miles. A closer object’s shadow can also make it identifiable, he explains. Something near the camera would appear as a silhouette against light reflected from objects farther away. The camera can see through fire because it only catches a few nanoseconds of light from the blaze. Which isn’t much compared to the concentrated laser light reflected from the object behind it.
Therefore, they need other ways to look through smoke and other obscurants. For example, a thermal imager can see through cold smoke, but it struggles with fog because water absorbs heat. A thermal imager also cannot penetrate glass. There is no other system out there that can see through a flame sheet. Not only did the device built with the Navy present an elegant solution to a difficult problem, but it also showed that laser imaging can save lives. https://www.glewengineering.com/global-fire-detection-sensors-in-space/
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
However, while the idea was relatively simple, the hardware to make it work was a technological challenge. Under the first two SBIRs, the camera developed and refined its current prototype. “A lot of it has just been developing the hardware, making sure everything works, getting all the timings right,” he says, adding that he’s also run extensive tests to see what surfaces reflect better under various conditions. A third SBIR with Langley funded further testing in 2012. https://www.glewengineering.com/global-fire-detection-sensors-in-space/
Commercializing the device for ground applications and using the income to continue developing the technology until it was small enough for use on airplanes. Researchers noticed the possibility of perimeter security after spotting workers through dense fog while testing the camera.
BENEFITS: Laser Imaging Video Camera Saves Lives
Still looking to the day when the technology will help firefighters blinded by smoke and flames in the Santa Ana winds. SBIRs serve the purpose of getting this thing commercially ready. Knowing how to build a system, we can sell for perimeter security or for first responders. Also, security systems are used in sandstorms at desert outposts, at nuclear power plants, often on foggy lakes, and on the US border. Laser imaging technology could also find applications in accident prevention for police and emergency vehicles. Laser imaging can save lives. https://www.glewengineering.com/thermal-analysis-devices-just-got-more-affordable/
Other Enhancements
Partnering with an acoustics company to incorporate “localized acoustics” into the system, capable of pinpointing a sound between a person’s ears, in this case, at distances of up to 600 meters. Then First Responders can say, “Please stop what you’re doing,” or “We can see you,” or whatever. Low visibility is not always an issue; Laser imaging is considered a supplement to a system that includes other infrared and regular cameras. Envisioning applications not only in perimeter security, but also enhancing safety and efficiency in aviation. Also, shipping, where vessels navigate in and out of foggy harbors. Trucking where could prevent accidents and pileups in storms and fog.
Read more about Laser Imaging Technology: https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2015/ps_5.html