Laser rangefinder architecture as a cost-effective platform for lidar fire surveillance

The possibility of early fire detection via lidar (light detection and ranging) technology implemented through a low-cost rangefinder is investigated. The evaluation is based on the variation of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with distance calculated on the basis of a theoretical model and determined experimentally. The theoretical SNR is obtained by combining a hydrodynamic model of the smoke plume taking into consideration the effect of wind (which enables calculation of smoke–particle distribution) and a lidar model that enables backscattered radiation intensity, detected power and, eventually, SNR to be assessed using Mie theory. The calculated values of SNR agree reasonably well with the experimental results obtained using small-scale experimental fires and show that in favourable conditions detection ranges up to about 4 km are achievable.