Non-contact measurement of material remaining in expendable spools

A method, comprising:

• illuminating, via at least one optical signal source, remaining spooled material with an optical beam having an optical beam width, wherein the optical beam width and spacing are such that at least one rung of remaining spooled material is illuminated per optical signal source, wherein the at least one optical signal source is an infrared light emitting diode;
• establishing, via a processor, a number and drive strength of pulses for drive circuitry to drive the at least one optical signal source;
• driving, via the drive circuitry, the at least one optical signal source using pulses, thereby creating light pulses;
• receiving, via at least one optical signal receiver, light that is reflected from each of said light pulses;
• and
• causing, via the processor, measurements to be performed of the underwater remaining spooled material.

An underwater system for non-contact measurement of remaining spooled material, comprising:

• at least one optical signal source configured to illuminate remaining spooled material with an optical beam having an optical beam width wherein the optical beam width and spacing are such that at least one rung of remaining spooled material is illuminated per each at least one optical signal source, wherein the at least one optical signal source is an infrared light emitting diode;
• drive circuitry configured to drive the at least one optical signal source using pulses, thereby creating light pulses;
• at least one optical signal receiver configured to receive light reflected from each of said light pulses;
• a processor configured to:
• establish a number and drive strength of pulses for the drive circuitry to drive the at least one optical signal source;
• cause measurements to be performed of the remaining underwater spooled material;
• and
• support one or more human or machine interfaces.