Optical buoys for oceanographic measurements by imaging lidar

摘要

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.