Date: Jan 01, 2012 Source: ARMY SBIR Success Story (
click here to go to the source)
Our deployed Soldiers need smaller, lighter, and more capable imaging sensors than what is currently available for better situational awareness and to be able to effectively respond to a much more sophisticated threat. Under the SBIR Program, Surface Optics Corporation developed a prototype hyperspectral scope ("hyperScope") based upon a novel non-scanning 3-D hyperspectral detector.
The system builds upon Surface Optics' real-time hyperspectral imaging technology and recently developed hyperspectral imaging techniques to generate a compact scope that includes real-time overlay of identified objects of interest. Wavelength coverage extends from the visible through short wavelength infrared to provide passive day/night operation.
The hyperScope collects, analyzes, and displays hyperspectral images of at least 32 spectral bands and displays the results on integrated displays. This technology can also be used in analysis, quality control and more in depth detection efforts.
Compared to other hyperspectral imagers, the hyperScope is relatively inexpensive to produce, operates at video rate and is compact. Integral to the system is a real-time processor, initially implemented using Surface Optics Corp's current processing technology that analyzes the spectral content to find and mark targets at video frame rates, but with a path to migration to recent advances in multi-core Digital Signal Processors. By making hyper-spectral sensors handheld, rugged, and inexpensive; production of the hyperScope will enhance the capabilities of the Army to recognize, track, and mark threats and will increase the Army's ability to extract information from a scene that is unavailable with current tactical imaging systems. Further commercialization will vastly improve our Soldier's ability to detect highly camouflaged threats with a day or night capability.
Technology Transition:
This SBIR project produced a hyperScope of unsurpassed capability, with varied military and commercial applications and will be transitioned to both commercial and military markets. The hyperScope's Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) is appropriate for use as military optical scopes for rifles and for use on Unmanned Air and Ground Vehicles.
The Company has Phase III contracts with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in the amount of $1.5M for development of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Real-time hyperspectral Targeting Systems and with Johns Hopkins University in the amount of $190K for the expansion of the visible and near-infrared, (VNIR) 3-D hyperspectral Video Rate Camera.
