Partners Developing Underwater Single Photon Imaging System
A consortium of universities and technology companies, led by marine technology company Sonardyne, is collaborating to develop a groundbreaking underwater single photon mapping and imaging system. The project, known as the Underwater Single Photon Imaging System (USPIS), has received £2.7 million in funding from the Innovate UK Commercializing Quantum Technologies Challenge.
The USPIS project aims to create next-generation technology capable of providing wide area coverage and high-resolution 3D images in all underwater environments. The consortium brings together expertise from six key institutions:
- Sonardyne International Ltd: Leading the project, system integration, and testing.
- Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd: Developing the laser system and environmental testing.
- RedWave Labs Ltd: Designing and building the control electronics for the pulsed laser source.
- Photon Force Ltd: Developing a next-generation 1D SPAD array sensor and FPGA for onboard processing.
- Heriot-Watt University: Designing the transceiver system and single-photon imaging techniques.
- University of Edinburgh: Assisting in evaluating SPADs for 3D imaging.
The system will utilize innovative single photon array detector technology combined with a high-power pulsed laser to generate 3D maps at high altitudes above the sea floor. Unlike traditional sonar and laser imaging technologies, the USPIS project will enable detailed imaging in low light and murky water conditions.
Darryl Newborough, Technical Director at Sonardyne International Ltd, expressed excitement about the project’s potential, highlighting the importance of high-resolution 3D maps for various subsea applications.
The USPIS project, which has been in progress for two years, is set to commence prototype testing in April 2024.
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