Image Quality Analysis for a Multiple Overlapping Field of View Serial Laser Imager

The Combined Laser and Scan Sonar (CLASS) system is an extended range imaging system, incorporating both high-resolution laser images and high frequency sonar images. Both the laser and sonar images are collected simultaneously during testing to provide dual mode imagery of an underwater target, displaying both a 2D image of the target (laser image) and a 3D overlay of the target (sonar image). The laser component of the system is a Multiple Overlapping Field of view Serial Laser Imager (MOFSLI), capable of generating high-resolution sub-centimeter 2D images. MOFSLI generates the images by way of a diffraction-limited 532nm continuous wave (CW) laser beam being scanned over the target. Initial field tests resulted in high-quality images of the ocean floor. However, there was a clear need for further study and improvement. The first step is to carefully evaluate the quality of the images generated by MOFSLI. To do so, a calibration and performance evaluation of MOFSLI was executed in the specialized underwater electro-optics testing facility located in the Ocean Visibility and Optics laboratory at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute(HBOI), focusing on the effects of increased scattering levels.