We will be creating a compilation of the newest range of technologies from around the world. This article is not meant to be in-depth; it is more of a primer for those who are unfamiliar with a range of related topics. It will include things such as LiDAR, microwaves and laser scanners for scanning 3-D objects, thermal imaging systems, and more. Where we have available sources for other popular types of range technologies (things like radar) we'll also include that information with links to where you can find out more about them.
In addition to the new ideas themselves, this article will feature information on some older but still relevant innovations that are worth keeping in mind - such as time-of-flight cameras or charge-coupled device cameras. We hope that this page will present an interesting overview of what is happening in the range technologies area. The information available on this page can serve as a starting point for those who are interested in learning more about range usage in the real world.
What is LiDAR
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that measures the distance to, or other properties of, a target by illuminating the target with light, typically laser light; the method is called "photogrammetry". The name LiDAR is derived from its use of light ("light") projected as a pulsed laser beam (the acronym LIDAR sometimes also appears capitalized as Lidar).
A moving vehicle equipped with a rotating laser or a fixed laser scanner records the time of flight for each pulsed laser pulse to determine the range to the target. The three-dimensional distance measurements recorded by a LiDAR scanner allow one to compute the size and shape of an object, as well as its velocity.
Is LiDAR widely used?
LiDAR is used by a growing number of companies, though it hasn't been widely adopted yet. The main reason for this is the high cost of a LiDAR scanner and that it has to be mounted on a vehicle. However, once the price comes down and more companies start using it, we will see more usage in the auto industry.
What is polarization?
Polarization refers to the direction in which an electromagnetic wave oscillates - horizontal or vertical. In the case of light waves, there are two kinds of polarization: linear versus circularly polarized. Polarization is measured by two parameters called the "polarization ellipse" and the "ellipticity". Linear polarization means that the oscillations are oriented in only one direction. Circular polarization means that there is a component of oscillation along each direction of the ellipse.
Vertical linear polarization (VLP) tilts the electric field out of the vertical axis while horizontal linear polarization (HLP) tilts it horizontally. Vertical circular polarization (VCP) adds a component at 90 degrees to VLP and horizontal circular polarization (HCP) adds a component at 90 degrees to HLP.
What is polarization used for?
Polarization is used for several different applications, including orientation. Plants, for instance, make use of it to orient themselves toward the light source. It can be used to detect reflections from objects and effectively act as a range finder. Another application of polarization imaging is celestial navigation, where it provides information on the direction that an object lies with respect to the observer. Polarization can also be used in telescopes as a kind of spectroscopy that helps us identify elements present in stars and planets when they are observed through this instrument.
How is polarization used in imaging?
It can be used in visible light and infrared light cameras. We have special filters that we can use to block out the polarization components that are not needed, so we get a clearer picture of the object. This is especially useful when observing an object that has similar reflections to its background, as these can be very difficult to distinguish using standard imaging techniques. The 3-D model of an object is obtained by recording the intensity of the reflected light for several different polarization images and then applying computer processing techniques.
Conclusion.
Polarization has numerous applications and we use this in many of our day-to-day activities. With the increasing cost of LiDAR technology, people will resort to using polarization imaging. One major advantage of polarization imaging is that it can be used without any moving parts. It is a great technology to observe objects from a distance and detect if they are moving towards us or away from us.
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