SBIR-STTR Award

SimWright Inc. proposes a capability to georegister objects for gimbaled hyperspectral systems in: surveillance, reconnaissance, and tracking modes while enabling targeting. The concept proposes significant georegistration error reduction between features commonly identified in multiple sensor sweeps than traditional systems by combining existing tiepoint correlation algorithms integrated with a Kalman Filter and correlated with periodic DPPDB/ NTM updates. Three trade studies will be performed 1) evaluating feasibility of adapting tie-point algorithms, and KF to perform frame to frame correlation in real-time, 2) evaluating extending the capability for georegistration across full sensor sweeps and 3) accuracy, cost and feasibility tradeoffs in system and subsystem design. The complex nature of subsystem errors in real-time gimbaled sensors requires an accurate knowledge of subsystem error components. Combining tiepoint algorithms, a particular Kalman filter, and a DPPDB/ NTM (when fielded) update capability permits engineers to diagnose system errors to create error models (e.g. platform attitude (yaw), gimbal errors). We propose a cost effective flight test for final validation of the Phase I algorithmic architecture. SimWright has a ten year heritage integrating inertial navigation systems, and developing software solutions for photogrammetry, image processing, analysis, 3D visualization and metadata creation.

Keywords:
Georegistration Kalman Filter Tie Point Correlation

The complexity and speed of operations combating insurgents employing asymmetric tactics requires coordinated sensing, collaboration, and targeting to attack terrorists who may be fleeing a scene to find sanctuary in schools or mosques. High level  military strategists realize the need for a more rapid strike capability and lower cost smart weaponry for precision strikes.  Insurgents are using increasingly sophisticated, Camouflaged, Concealment and Deception (CC&D) tactics within urban settings,  requiring increased dependence on multispectral surveillance sensing to discriminate and identify enemy combatants SimWright Inc proposes a multispectral camera pod/ inertial navigation system solution, to link platforms, the TACs/ War Operations and ground troops together. In Phase II, a prototype camera system capable of stereoscopic imagery capture coupled with real-time direct georeferencing would provide a system for low cost point mensuration capability. The goal is to produce a DPPDB-like product in real-time and provide accurate orthomosaics.

Benefits:
A successful implementation of this proposal will result in an extremely accurate attitude determination capability. That coupled with a calibrated camera system and tie-point algorithms applied to stereo mensuration determination would provide a real-time precision targeting system. The commercial application of this capability would be considered a highly disruptive technology to the commercial photogrammetric business space.

Keywords:
Target Mensuration, Targeting, Orthomosaic, Mosaic, Imagery, Uav, Direct Georeferencing