Deep sea optical viewing systems: methodologies for their analyses and synthesis.
Methodology is presented for the analysis and synthesis of three model deep sea submersible-mounted optical viewing systems. The radiation field of the illuminator is characterized by a phenomenological beam model. Several useful concepts are introduced: exposure field, exposure contrast field, irradiance field, signal-to-noise field, and blur. Certain key exposures and irradiances are calculated. Emphasis is placed on the specification of optimum angular field of view, optimum height off-bottom, and speed of the submersible as a function of the various optical system parameters.