DLR Optical Sensor Systems

The Institute of Optical Sensor Systems of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) investigates and develops active and passive optical sensor systems for satellites, flying platforms and robotic systems. The institute is participating in the scientific analysis of the resulting data. It is involved in numerous national and international cooperations.

Our vision is to develop autonomous optical sensor systems in analogy and extension of the human visual perception.

The sensor systems are developed for applications spanning the UV, visible, infrared and THz spectral range. The passive sensors are spatially or spectrally highly resolving (for example cameras, spectrometers, microscopes or combina-tions thereof). The active systems are laser-based. Examples are spectrometers, data transmission links and interferometers.

The optical sensor systems are applied in Earth observation, robotics and planetary research as well as in transport and security. The development of sensor algorithms for information processing is the basis for autonomous optical sensor systems.

The design and the development of the sensor systems are based on a theoretical modelling approach. Validation and calibration of the systems are an integral part of the development process.

The institute is involved in the training of young researchers namely Bachelor, Master and PhD students. The institute cooperates closely with universities, in particular Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin.