Optical buoys for oceanographic measurements by imaging lidar
US5311272A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 10, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/89
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Deployed, air dropped buoys are presented which can be used as calibrated targets for imaging lidar systems. In this way, oceanographic optical measurements can be made to determine in advance how an imaging lidar system will perform at the time of its deployment. This calibrated optical buoy is deployable from an airborne platform. The target is illuminated by an imaging lidar system and the target reflection is compared with the backscattering from the ocean volume illuminated. At the same time, measurements of light intensity are carried out to provide a direct measurement of the attenuation in the ocean. These data are taken at all depths and the results telemetered to the airborne lidar platform. In addition, a simplified embodiment is presented which uses the imaging lidar system to obtain both backscatter and attenuation. This simplified embodiment requires no telemetry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.