Geospatial data collection system with a look ahead sensor and associated methods
A geospatial data collection system is for an aerial vehicle and includes a data collection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device and a protection LiDAR device. The data collection LiDAR device is configured to collect geospatial data as the aerial vehicle moves along a collection path. The protection LiDAR device is configured to sense a geospatial area ahead of the data collection LiDAR device. The data collection LiDAR device is switchable from an operating mode to a protected mode based upon the protection LiDAR device.
1. A geospatial data collection system for an aerial vehicle comprising:
a data collection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device configured to collect geospatial data as the aerial vehicle moves along a collection path; and
a protection LiDAR device configured to sense a geospatial area ahead of said data collection LiDAR device;
said data collection LiDAR device being switchable from an operating mode to a protected mode based upon said protection LiDAR device.
2. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said data collection LiDAR device is susceptible to an anomalous response having an optical power above a threshold in the operating mode, and protected from the anomalous response in the protected mode.
3. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 2 further comprising a controller configured to determine whether the optical power sensed by said protection LiDAR device exceeds the threshold.
4. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said data collection LiDAR device comprises a camera and a shutter associated therewith; and wherein said shutter is open in the operating mode and closed in the protected mode.
5. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 4 wherein said camera comprises a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) camera.
6. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said data collection LiDAR device is operable in a circular pattern, and said protection LiDAR device is operable in a linear pattern.
7. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said data collection LiDAR device has a higher sensitivity than said protection LiDAR device.
8. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 1 wherein said protection LiDAR device comprises a laser operating at a first frequency, and said data collection LiDAR device comprises a laser operating at a second frequency different from the first frequency.
9. A geospatial data collection system for an aerial vehicle comprising:
a data collection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device configured to collect geospatial data as the aerial vehicle moves along a collection path, and comprising a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) camera and a shutter associated therewith;
said data collection LiDAR device being susceptible to an anomalous response having an optical power above a threshold in the operating mode, and protected from the anomalous response in a protected mode; and
a protection LiDAR device configured to sense a geospatial area ahead of said data collection LiDAR device;
said data collection LiDAR device being switchable from the operating mode to the protected mode based upon said protection LiDAR device, and with said shutter being open in the operating mode and closed in the protected mode.
10. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 9 further comprising a controller configured to determine whether the optical power sensed by said protection LiDAR device exceeds the threshold.
11. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 9 wherein said data collection LiDAR device is operable in a circular pattern, and said protection LiDAR device is operable in a linear pattern.
12. The geospatial data collection system according to claim 9 wherein said data collection LiDAR device has a higher sensitivity than said protection LiDAR device.
13. A method for operating a geospatial data collection system for an aerial vehicle comprising:
operating a data collection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device to collect geospatial data as the aerial vehicle moves along a collection path; and
operating a protection LiDAR device to sense a geospatial area ahead of the data collection LiDAR device;
switching the data collection LiDAR device from an operating mode to a protected mode based upon the protection LiDAR device.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the data collection LiDAR device is susceptible to an anomalous response having an optical power above a threshold in the operating mode, and protected from the anomalous response in the protected mode.
15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising determining whether the optical power sensed by the protection LiDAR device exceeds the threshold.
16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the data collection LiDAR device comprises a camera and a shutter associated therewith; and wherein the shutter is open in the operating mode and closed in the protected mode.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the camera comprises a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) camera.
18. The method according to claim 13 wherein the data collection LiDAR device is operable in a circular pattern, and the protection LiDAR device is operable in a linear pattern.
19. The method according to claim 13 wherein the data collection LiDAR device has a higher sensitivity than the protection LiDAR device.