Structured Light Imaging under Sunlight Conditions

We present a Structured Light Imaging system developed for Space Applications, where accurate 3D measurements in direct sunlight is an absolute requirement. Through spectral filtering of the camera and the use of a high power VCSEL, we have demonstrated that the system provides megapixel resolution images with sub-mm depth precision at 1 m distance, when operating in direct sunlight. We discuss the theoretical and observed system precision as function of signal levels.