Range imaging for measuring streambed topography

Tobias K. Kohoutek; Manuel Nitsche

doi:10.1117/12.859840

2 August 2010 Range imaging for measuring streambed topography

Tobias K. Kohoutek, Manuel Nitsche

Proceedings Volume 7791, Interferometry XV: Applications; 77910F (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.859840
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The characterization of streambed topography is crucial to approach problems in fluvial hydraulics, river engineering and geomorphology. In most steep alpine environments measurement apparatus like terrestrial laser scanners or airborne Lidar systems are difficult to successfully apply, because they need free sight, elevated positions and good aerial or road access. In mountain streams this is generally not the case. We describe a novel technology to acquire 3D models of nonsubmerged parts of such streambeds. The core of our range imaging system is a commercial time-of-flight video camera. The camera produces a per-pixel distance measurement using an integrated near-infrared modulated light source and an image sensor that measures the phase-shift between modulated and reflected light at each pixel. If mounted on a lightweight crane vertical above the stream, the camera can observe the streambed topography with a 3D resolution of down to 0.5 cm. However, the distance measurements degrade in accuracy under direct sunlight and when strong illumination contrasts occur. With the collected data detailed digital terrain models can be computed.

Citation Download Citation

Tobias K. Kohoutek and Manuel Nitsche "Range imaging for measuring streambed topography", Proc. SPIE 7791, Interferometry XV: Applications, 77910F (2 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.859840

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