Image processing technique for an underwater modulated pulse laser imaging system

This work presents a processing technique for enhancing images collected by an underwater modulated pulse laser imaging system. Laser-based sensors offer high-resolution and high-accuracy ranging in the underwater environment. However, these capabilities can be degraded in turbid waters due to scattering. This work presents experimental results demonstrating an image processing technique that reduces the effects of both backscatter and forward scatter. Without the use of gating, filtering, or a priori information, the processing technique can generate useful imagery to 6.9 attenuation lengths in a controlled laboratory environment.