Scalable lidar technique for fire detection

Abstract

Lidar (light detection and ranging) presents better sensitivity than fire surveillance based on imaging. However, the price of conventional lidar equipment is often too high as compared to passive fire detection instruments. We describe possibilities to downscale the technology. First, a conventional lidar, capable of smoke-plume detection up to ~10 km, may be replaced by an industrially manufactured solid-state laser rangefinder. This reduces the detection range to about 5 km, but decreases the purchase price by one order of magnitude. Further downscaling is possible by constructing the lidar smoke sensor on the basis of a low-cost laser diode.

Design and Field Test of a WSN Platform Prototype for Long-Term Environmental Monitoring

“…Light detection and ranging systems (LiDAR) analyze the laser light backscattered by smoke [ 28 , 29 ]. High-power laser beams may be expensive to produce, although, recently, researchers proposed lower cost techniques [ 30 ], and they can also be a public health hazard. Its effectiveness may be limited by obstacles in the line-of-sight, fog or low altitude clouds, which are a likely occurrence in mountain climate.…”

PbS Colloidal Quantum Dot Visible-Blind Photodetector for Early Indoor Fire Detection

“…The optical detectors described so far, are all passive systems relying on the light emitted by the flames; in cases where there is a need to detect fires far away from the detection systems, however, active devices provide better results. Such detectors can either measure the optical absorption of gases produced by fires [6] or the light scattering due to smoke and dust [7]. In both cases detection range and sensitivity are extremely good at the price of an increased system complexity and cost.…”