Multi-wavelength, multi-beam, photonic based sensor for object discrimination and positioning

Over the last decade, substantial research efforts have been dedicated towards the development of advanced laser scanning systems for discrimination in perimeter security, defence, agriculture, transportation, surveying and geosciences. Military forces, in particular, have already started employing laser scanning technologies for projectile guidance, surveillance, satellite and missile tracking; and target discrimination and recognition. However, laser scanning is relatively a new security technology. It has previously been utilized for a wide variety of civil and military applications. Terrestrial laser scanning has found new use as an active optical sensor for indoors and outdoors perimeter security. A laser scanning technique with moving parts was tested in the British Home Office - Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) in 2004. It was found that laser scanning has the capability to detect humans in 30m range and vehicles in 80m range with low false alarm rates. However, laser scanning with moving parts is much more sensitive to vibrations than a multi-beam stationary optic approach. Mirror device scanners are slow, bulky and expensive and being inherently mechanical they wear out as a result of acceleration, cause deflection errors and require regular calibration. Multi-wavelength laser scanning represent a potential evolution from object detection to object identification and classification, where detailed features of objects and materials are discriminated by measuring their reflectance characteristics at specific wavelengths and matching them with their spectral reflectance curves. With the recent advances in the development of high-speed sensors and high-speed data processors, the implementation of multi-wavelength laser scanners for object identification has now become feasible. A two-wavelength photonic-based sensor for object discrimination has recently been reported, based on the use of an optical cavity for generating a laser spot array and maintaining adequate overlapping between tapped collimated laser beams of different wavelengths over a long optical path. While this approach is capable of discriminating between objects of different colours, its main drawback is the limited number of security-related objects that can be discriminated. This thesis proposes and demonstrates the concept of a novel photonic based multi-wavelength sensor for object identification and position finding. The sensor employs a laser combination module for input wavelength signal multiplexing and beam overlapping, a custom-made curved optical cavity for multi-beam spot generation through internal beam reflection and transmission and a high-speed imager for scattered reflectance spectral measurements. Experimental results show that five different laser wavelengths, namely 473nm, 532nm, 635nm, 670nm and 785nm, are necessary for discriminating various intruding objects of interest through spectral reflectance and slope measurements. Various objects were selected to demonstrate the proof of concept. We also demonstrate that the object position (coordinates) is determined using the triangulation method, which is based on the projection of laser spots along determined angles onto intruding objects and the measurement of their reflectance spectra using an image sensor. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of the multi-wavelength spectral reflectance sensor to simultaneously discriminate between different objects and predict their positions over a 6m range with an accuracy exceeding 92%. A novel optical design is used to provide additional transverse laser beam scanning for the identification of camouflage materials. A camouflage material is chosen to illustrate the discrimination capability of the sensor, which has complex patterns within a single sample, and is successfully detected and discriminated from other objects over a 6m range by scanning the laser beam spots along the transverse direction. By using more wavelengths at optimised points in the spectrum where different objects show different optical characteristics, better discrimination can be accomplished

Multi-wavelength laser scanning architecture for object discrimination

A novel method for identifying and discriminating various objects using five different lasers is described. This method uses a laser combination module that allows five laser diodes of different wavelengths to sequentially emit identically polarized light beams through a common aperture, along one optical path. Each laser beam enters a custom-made curved optical cavity for multi-beam spot generation through internal partial beam reflection. The intensity of the reflected light beams from each spot is detected by a high-speed area scan image sensor. Object discrimination based on analyzing the Gaussian profile of reflected laser light at distinguishing wavelengths is demonstrated

Photonic-based multi-wavelength sensor for object identification

A Photonic-based multi-wavelength sensor capable of discriminating objects is proposed and demonstrated for intruder detection and identification. The sensor uses a laser combination module for input wavelength signal multiplexing and beam overlapping, a custom-made curved optical cavity for multi-beam spot generation through internal beam reflection and transmission and a high-speed imager for scattered reflectance spectral measurements. Experimental results show that five different wavelengths, namely 473nm, 532nm, 635nm, 670nm and 785nm, are necessary for discriminating various intruding objects of interest through spectral reflectance and slope measurements. Objects selected for experiments were brick, cement sheet, cotton, leather and roof tile

Multi-Wavelength Laser Sensor for Intruder Detection and Discrimination

An intruder detection and discrimination sensor with improved optical design is developed using lasers of different wavelengths to demonstrate the concept of discrimination over a distance of 6 m. A distinctive feature of optics is used to provide additional transverse laser beam scanning. The sample objects used to demonstrate the concept of discrimination over a distance of 6 m are leaf, bark, black fabric, PVC, wood and camouflage material. A camouflage material is chosen to illustrate the discrimination capability of the sensor. The sensor utilizes a five-wavelength laser combination module, which sequentially emits identically-polarized laser light beams along one optical path. A cylindrical quasi-optical cavity with improved optical design generates multiple laser light beams for each laser. The intensities of the reflected light beams from the different spots are detected using a high speed area scan image sensor. Object discrimination and detection is based on analyzing the Gaussian profile of reflected light at the different wavelengths. The discrimination between selected objects is accomplished by calculating four different slopes from the objects\u27 reflectance spectra at the wavelengths 473 nm, 532 nm, 635 nm, 670 nm and 785 nm. Furthermore, the camouflage material, which has complex patterns within a single sample, is also detected and discriminated over a 6 m range by scanning the laser beam spots along the transverse direction. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Object discrimination using a multi-wavelength photonic sensor

A bench prototype photonic-based sensor for object discrimination is described. A combination module, which allows five laser diodes of different wavelengths to overlap and sequentially emit identically-polarised light beams through a common aperture, is presented. The key visible and infrared wavelengths are selected from sample objects spectral signatures. A cylindrical optical quasi-cavity structure is designed to generate 15 laser spots for each laser. The intensity of the reflected light from each spot is detected by a high speed line scan image sensor. Object discrimination is accomplished by calculating the slope values between selected wavelengths in the blue to infrared range

Optical-cavity-based multiwavelength sensor for spectral discrimination and object position detection

An optical-cavity-based multiwavelength sensor is developed for object discrimination and position finding. The working principle of this device employs the multiple laser beam triangulation method to determine object position in addition to its ability to recognize them. The multiwavelength sensor employs five different identically polarized and overlapped laser light beams that are sequentially pulsed and launched through a custom-made curved optical cavity to generate multiple laser spots for each laser. The intensities of the reflected light beams from the different spots are detected by a high-speed area scan image sensor. The discrimination between five different objects, namely, brick, cement sheet, roof tile, cotton, and leather is accomplished by calculating the slopes of the objects’ reflectance spectra at the employed wavelengths. The object position (coordinates) are determined using the triangulation method, which is based on the projection of laser spots along determined angles on the objects and the measurements of the objects’ reflectance spectra using an image sensor. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of the multiwavelength spectral reflectance sensor to simultaneously discriminate between different objects and predict their positions over a 6 m range with an accuracy exceeding 92%