Development of a Time-Synchronized Projector-Camera System for High-Clarity Underwater Imaging

We developed a time-synchronized projectorcamera system (SyncProCam) for high-clarity underwater imaging. The proposed system uses a rolling shutter camera and a laser projector, synchronized via a custom-designed digital circuit to capture only direct light reflected from the target. The timesynchronous circuit was implemented using an FPGA, which includes an IIR filter to remove noise and irrelevant signal components from the projector's MEMS mirror signal and a digital circuit to detect the projector's scanning start timing. These components enabled the successful generation of temporally precise camera trigger signals. Experimental results in turbid water environments demonstrate that the standalone SyncProCam enhances image clarity compared to generalpurpose cameras.