PFI:AIR - TT: Lidar Technologies for Remote Underwater Mapping

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目是一个概念验证项目，旨在开发、演示和评估一种创新的激光雷达（激光照明探测和测距）遥感技术，称为散射诱导的脉冲内相位修改（INPHAMIS）技术，作为一种商业上可行的产品，用于浅海环境的详细测绘。INPHAMIS技术是一项突破性技术，它提供了前所未有的厘米级分辨率来绘制浅水淹没物体，无缝识别陆地到水的过渡，获得高精度的水深测量，并提供精确的底部表面地形描述，所有这些都来自水面以上的远距离。水下物体是船舶保险索赔的头号原因，提前探测到它们的能力将既考虑到人类安全问题，也考虑到经济问题。市场研究表明，这种类型的激光雷达系统将有助于在湖泊、浅冰川融化池、蚊子栖息地、海岸侵蚀和洪水盆地的测绘方面不断增长的市场，并提供通过入口和渠道的导航信息，这在这些不断变化的环境中至关重要。最终的商业目标是开发一种移动激光雷达测深装置，用于船只、手持设备或可能在飞艇或无人机系统上进行当地测量。INPHAMIS技术具有以下独特的特点：1厘米分辨率的浅水目标分辨力、简单的激光雷达组件、非侵入/非接触、基于差分测量的遥感技术、陆地-水过渡的连续观测以及支持多种观测平台的可扩展性。INPHAMIS是一项颠覆性的技术，它在降低复杂性和成本的同时实现了水中高分辨率的地下测绘。其他遥感技术仅限于一米或一米以上的水域，这使得大部分近岸水域没有被绘制出来。现有的激光雷达测深系统在预期用途和能力方面都非常相似，而且都涉及大型、昂贵的机载系统。INPHAMIS技术在性能、成本、质量、功率、体积和适应性方面具有独特的优势，通过在不久的将来开发一种用于水下测绘和地下目标识别的手持式系统，为浅水水深测量开辟了一个新的市场。该项目解决了从研究发现到商业应用的以下技术差距：1)激光与不同地表水条件、水下物体和底表面类型的相互作用；2)性能因素及系统和测量规范的定义；3)关键激光雷达部件的贸易分析。该技术的实验室演示器将用于评估真实环境浅水条件下激光与水体和物体的相互作用。这也将提供建立性能因素和组件测试的数据。在行业合作伙伴ASTRA LLC及其员工和工程师的支持下，一名教师、一名研究生和一名本科生将参与提供创业和技术翻译方面的独特学习环境。该项目与ASTRA公司合作，ASTRA公司将提供工程经验，进行商业化和营销研究，以评估市场空间、竞争环境、探索许可机会和进一步的技术商业化。这种强有力的伙伴关系将使这项技术从研究发现转向商业现实。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project is a proof-of-concept project to develop, demonstrate, and evaluate an innovative lidar (laser illuminated detection and ranging) remote sensing technique, called the INtrapulse PHAse Modification Induced by Scattering (INPHAMIS) technique, as a commercially viable product for detailed mapping of shallow marine environments. The INPHAMIS technique is a breakthrough technology in that it provides unprecedented, centimeter resolution to map submerged objects in shallow waters, seamlessly identifies land-to-water transitions, obtains high precision water depth measurements, and provides precise description of bottom surface topography, all from remote distances above the water. Submerged objects are the number one cause of insurance claims in watercraft and the ability to detect them in advance would take care of both a human safety concern and an economic concern. Market research indicates this type of lidar system would contribute to growing markets in the mapping of lakes, shallow glacial melt-ponds, mosquito habitat, coastal erosion, and flood basins, and provide navigation information through inlets and channels that is crucial in these ever evolving environments. The end commercial goal is to develop a mobile lidar bathymetric unit to be used for local surveys either by boat, handheld, or possibly on dirigibles or unmanned aerial systems.The INPHAMIS technique has the following unique features: 1-cm resolution in resolving objects in shallow waters, simple lidar components, noninvasive/non-contact, remote sensing technique based on a differential measurement, continuous observing over land-water transitions, and scalability to support several types of observing platforms. INPHAMIS is a disruptive technology in that it achieves high resolution subsurface mapping in water while reducing complexity and cost. Other remote sensing techniques are limited to waters deeper than a meter or more, leaving a large portion of near-shore waters unmapped. Existing lidar bathymetry systems are all quite similar in terms of intended use and capabilities and all involve large, expensive airborne systems. The INPHAMIS technique's unique features provide advantages in performance, costs, mass, power, volume, and adaptability that opens a new market in shallow-water water bathymetry by enabling the near-future development of a hand-held system for underwater mapping and subsurface target identification.This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application: 1) interactions of laser light with different surface water conditions, submerged objects, and bottom surface types; 2) performance factors and definition of system and measurement specifications; 3) trade analysis of critical lidar components. A lab demonstrator of the technique will be advanced to evaluate laser light interactions with water bodies and objects in real environmental shallow-water conditions. This will also provide data on establishing performance factors and component testing. A faculty member, graduate student, and an undergraduate student will be involved providing a unique learning environment in entrepreneurship and technology translation, with support from industry partner, ASTRA LLC, and their staff and engineers.The project engages industry partner, ASTRA LLC, which will contribute engineering experience and perform commercialization and marketing studies to assess market space, competitive environment, explore licensing opportunities and further commercialization of the technology. This strong partnership is poised to move this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality.