SBIR-STTR Award

Comprehensive solutions for extracting 3-D imagery and absolute range from visible and/or infrared (IR) images collected from small UAVs, micro-UAVs, or situational awareness sensors are proposed. These techniques can be used for 3D structure reconstruction, scene interpretation and 3D visualization of areas of interest. Challenges such as perspective changes between image platform and scene, uncertainties in the position and orientation of the imaging platform, and scene changes will be addressed. Algorithms with optimum performance will be selected for extracting 3-D imagery and absolute range from sensor images. The viability of these approaches for real-time 3-D image reconstruction and range estimation will be evaluated and demonstrated. BJ Information Technologies will partner with Lockheed Martin to evaluate performance, provide hardware implementation, and facilitate implementation in small and micro UAV systems. We propose to implement these algorithms on compact hardware which can be placed onboard a small or micro UAV for real time processing capability.

We propose real time, compact hardware implementation and integration of sensors, algorithms, and processing hardware for extracting 3-D imagery and absolute range from visible and/or infrared (IR) images collected from small UAVs or situational awareness sensors. The proposed approach can be used for 3D structure reconstruction, scene interpretation, and 3D visualization. Sensor/ system will use a 3D novel sensor and algorithms to estimate range and extract 3D structure reconstruction and 3D visualization of areas of interest, allowing the system to be used for reconnaissance of dynamic scenes and targets. System performance for real-time 3-D image reconstruction and range estimation will be evaluated. To facilitate implementation in airborne systems, BJ Information Technologies will partner with Lockheed on performance evaluation and hardware implementation. Sensor/system implementation will use compact hardware suitable for real time processing capability for airborne applications. Commercially available components and detector arrays will be used to provide a compact, lightweight, rugged, light efficient system, which is scalable with emerging imaging technologies.

Keywords:
3d Image Sensing, 3-D Image Reconstruction, 3-D Range Estimation, 3d Image Extraction, Real Time Processing, 3-D Imaging