The Bridge - Issue 1, 2023 - 5

Guest Editor
THE BRIDGE, February 2023
Introduction from
the Guest Editor
The features in this issue of THE BRIDGE magazine discuss Lidar which
is an acronym for light detection and ranging. This technology exploits
the monochromatic and directional nature of laser light. Wavelength
choices allow systems to be highly adapted for the intended targets. Early
Lidar systems were used for meteorological and terrain mapping. More
recent developments have expanded these systems as versatile tools for
mapping, ranging, and sensing. Applications include such diverse fields as
surveying, archaeology, navigation, and spectroscopy.
Our cover shows the three-dimensional imaging of Ferns Castle in Ireland
by the team of Dr. Michael " Bodhi " Rogers at the University of Colorado
Denver. His work is further described in the feature titled, " Ground-based
Lidar for Historic Preservation, Increased Accessibility, and Virtual Tourism "
and demonstrates the use of Lidar to create high-resolution models of
buildings, architectural elements, and archaeological artifacts. Our second
feature is titled, " Ultrafast Lidar Based on Signal Time Stretch and Various
Transduction Techniques " and explores Lidar techniques for ultrafast
measurements for applications such as spectroscopy.
As noted in this issue's history spotlight, December 2022 marked the
50th anniversary of the last moon landing by Apollo 17. While a radar
system was used as an altimeter for the actual landings, laser altimeters
on the Command Service Module were used on Apollo 15, 16, and 17
to provide camera support, direct mapping, and altimeter information.
This experiment led to instruments on later robotic missions that have
made detailed maps of the moon, Mars, and Mercury. Retroreflectors
delivered to the lunar surface by Apollo and Soviet spacecraft allow highly
accurate laser ranging measurements of the distance between the moon
and earth.
Other examples of Lidar technology are illustrated in the following
images. Lidar can be applied as an altimeter for aircraft, satellites, and
spacecraft such as the Garmin module used by the Mars Ingenuity
helicopter. Lidar systems can monitor air quality in mines. Lidar sensors
can provide environmental awareness for autonomous vehicles. Thanks
go to the authors of the feature articles and to the contributors of the
Lidar examples for providing a view of how engineers are " Advancing
Technology for Humanity " (IEEE tagline).
(continued on page 6)
Dr. Steve E.
Watkins
Gamma Theta Chapter
Students perform Lidar imaging of Ferns
Castle in Ireland. Credit: M. Rogers,
University of Colorado Denver.
HKN.ORG
5
https://hkn.ieee.org/
The Bridge - Issue 1, 2023

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