4D will develop a high-resolution subsea light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor and associated artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms to provide autonomous cable location and tracking, damage detection, examination, and precision location of damaged cable sections. The light-weight LiDAR sensor will integrate microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror technology to scan pulsed laser light to map the seafloor and image objects located both on and above the seafloor. The LiDAR scanner's high pulse repetition rate, rapid line scan rate, and narrow beam divergence will provide the 3D image fidelity needed to implement advanced behavioral decision making capabilities. AI/ML algorithm optimization will be performed, thereby allowing each phase of the LDUUV mission to be performed seamlessly.
Benefit: High-resolution 3D subsea mapping supports military, commercial and scientific missions. Military applications for advanced subsea LiDAR technology include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, ship hull inspection, harbor monitoring, construction, and monitoring an repair of military shoreside facilities. In the commercial marketplace, there is a need for rapid and accurate inspection of subsea cables, pipelines, wellheads and oil rigs. 99 percent of international communications touch a subsea cable. The subsea cable industry is adding an average of 32 percent capacity annually, with hyperscale cloud companies and large content providers driving this rapid rate of growth. These factors create a significant opportunity for technologies that can be used for inspection and repair operations. LiDAR technology advances are largely being driven by the automotive industry. Component level costs are dropping each year to reach system price points that are affordable. 4D will leverage these advances to develop a small subsea LiDAR sensor that can be affordably deployed from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) and manned submersibles. Important goals are to develop and deliver a LiDAR sensor that is lightweight, low cost, and is small in size and weight to expand market penetration.
Keywords: Sensor, Sensor, LIDAR, 3D Imaging, Subsea, unmanned undersea vehicle, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, cable tracking
