In mapping, data quality comes down to precision, and at GNO-SYS, our laser systems are engineered to deliver high accuracy in some of the world’s most challenging environments. At the heart of that capability is Katrina, our Laser Test and Operations Specialist.  

We sat down with Katrina to talk about her work, the technology she manages, and the trade-offs, challenges, and tricks that come with making laser mapping work in the real world. 

Q: Katrina, can you describe your role at GNO-SYS? 

My main role at GNO-SYS is to setup and test any laser-based optics systems we design.  This includes laser safety, alignment of testing setups, and measurements of system characteristics like beam divergence, pulse duration, and wavelength stability. I also use a mix of programming environments depending on the task, but my most used tools are Python and QGIS with systems from top to bottom by offering my knowledge to clients as we develop these systems in collaboration with them.we develop these systems in collaboration with them. 

Q: What makes GNO-SYS’ laser systems unique? 

I think our involvement in every aspect of the laser system makes it unique.  Sometimes we work with clients to design and build the whole system, and sometimes they only need help with one aspect of it. Even if we aren’t doing it all, we still understand how every component works together to create the whole system and integrate it so the system is providing tailored performance for the specific goal. 

Q: What are some of the main uses of lasers in your work? 

We use near-infrared lasers in systems for detection and range finding. Near-infrared is ideal because it isn’t strongly absorbed by the atmosphere and can often penetrate through gaps in vegetation better than visible wavelengths. While it doesn’t allow us to fully map beneath dense canopy, it can provide more reliable ground returns in areas with partial cover. I also frequently make use of one in our optical testing setup (more on that later)! 

Q: What are the biggest challenges when working with airborne lasers? 

I would say the biggest challenge working with airborne lasers is the alignment.  On the ground, we have a stable optical bench that doesn’t move, so we’re able to maintain alignments easily.  However, on a plane, any vibration, pressure change, or temperature fluctuation has the potential to bring the system out of alignment, for it to stop working, even if it’s just by a smidge. So, we frequently include a stabilizing mount in the design to protect the optical components from aircraft vibrations. We also use temperature control systems inside the sensor housing and calibrate the systems under expected flight conditions. 

Q: What kind of trade-offs do you have to make to make it work in the real world? 

There is a balance when working with laser returns. The amount of light that bounces back from a target is often very low, especially in areas with poor reflectance, which makes those signals harder to read. If we focus on having precision at very low signals, we run the risk of being unable to properly detect high signals, as they saturate.  On the other hand, if we try to allow for higher signals, then we can’t see the slight changes in signal we need for some applications. 

Q: Any tips or tricks for fellow “laser nerds”? 

My biggest advice is to always make sure to use a visible laser when working with invisible ones like infrared lasers, and make sure they’re aligned!  It’s a pain to set up but saves so much time and effort down the road. 

Visible lasers emit light in the wavelengths our eyes can see, but infrared lasers operate outside this range, often around 900-1550 nm or beyond, making their beams invisible to the naked eye, which complicates alignment. Using a low-power visible laser aligned with the infrared beam lets you visually confirm and adjust alignment quickly and safely before powering the main laser.  
 

Q: Can you give an example where these capabilities made a difference? 

Working with laser systems that have higher power, for example, allows us to have higher flight altitudes.  Even losing most of the power through diffuse reflection and absorption in the atmosphere, the higher laser power allows us to still detect a signal at the plane, even with a larger altitude. 

At higher altitudes, the laser footprint on the ground expands, reducing resolution if the pulse rate is low. By increasing the pulse repetition rate we can maintain or even improve data density, capturing more detailed measurements over large areas despite flying higher. 

Q: How is laser mapping technology evolving, and what does that mean for GNO-SYS? 

Lasers are becoming more compact and higher speed, as are receivers.  All of this helps us work toward systems that are more compact, which could be used on different aircrafts, allowing room for other systems to work in tandem. We’re learning more every day!