Overview of the commercial OPAL LiDAR optimized for rotorcraft platforms operating in degraded visual environments

Philip Church; Kiatchai Borribanbunpotkat; Evan Trickey; Peter Iles; Mike Sekerka

doi:10.1117/12.2049930

19 June 2014 Overview of the commercial OPAL LiDAR optimized for rotorcraft platforms operating in degraded visual environments

Philip Church, Kiatchai Borribanbunpotkat, Evan Trickey, Peter Iles, Mike Sekerka

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9087, Degraded Visual Environments: Enhanced, Synthetic, and External Vision Solutions 2014; 908703 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2049930
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2014, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Neptec has developed a family of obscurant-penetrating 3D laser scanners called OPAL 2.0 that are being adapted for rotorcraft platforms. Neptec and Boeing have been working on an integrated system utilizing the OPAL LiDAR to support operations in degraded visual environments. OPAL scanners incorporate Neptec’s patented obscurantpenetrating LiDAR technology which was extensively tested in controlled dust environments and helicopters for brownout mitigation. The OPAL uses a scanning mechanism based on the Risley prism pair. Data acquisition rates can go as high as 200kHz for ranges within 200m and 25kHz for ranges exceeding 200m. The scan patterns are created by the rotation of two prisms under independent motor control. The geometry and material properties of the prisms will define the conical field-of-view of the sensor, which can be set up to 120 degrees. Through detailed simulations and analysis of mission profiles, the system can be tailored for applications to rotorcrafts. Examples of scan patterns and control schemes based on these simulations will be provided along with data density predictions versus acquisition time for applicable DVE scenarios. Preliminary 3D data acquired in clear and obscurant conditions will be presented.

Citation Download Citation

Philip Church, Kiatchai Borribanbunpotkat, Evan Trickey, Peter Iles, and Mike Sekerka "Overview of the commercial OPAL LiDAR optimized for rotorcraft platforms operating in degraded visual environments", Proc. SPIE 9087, Degraded Visual Environments: Enhanced, Synthetic, and External Vision Solutions 2014, 908703 (19 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2049930

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