SBIR-STTR Award

Genex Technologies, Inc (Genex) proposes this SBIR effort to develop a novel airborne video sensor dubbed OmniBird for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) in close range applications such as UCAV taxiing and air-to-air refueling. The proposed OmniBird combines a uniquely configured optical structure, a near infrared (NIR) sensor, and a specialized onboard electronics unit into a payload package that is low cost, lightweight, small in size, and has pan/tilt/zoom capability. Specifically, we have the following major innovations in the compact OmniBird design: system changes zoom through different optical paths with the help of a small agile mirror; the optical coating on a reflective mirror allows easy target detection and tracking from clutters; and The choice of a special CMOS sensor and data control/processing sensor ensures low blooming/glare effect and low system power consumption

The primary objective of this SBIR program is to develop a very small NIR image sensor with pan/tilt/zoom capability that can be used for close range machine vision applications specifically for UCAV carrier flight deck handling or autonomous air-to-air refueling. In the Phase I effort, Genex Technologies, Inc (Genex) now a subsidiary of Markland Technologies, Inc., designed a novel airborne video sensor dubbed OmniBird? specifically for UCAV taxiing. The OmniBird? combines a uniquely configured optical structure, a near infrared (NIR) sensor, and a specialized mechanical driving system into a payload package that will be low cost (~$1,500), lightweight (<5lb), small in size (<8 in3), and has pan/tilt/zoom capability. In addition, we have proposed a wearable and illumination modulated NIR optics for traffic directors. The design will allow UCAV to distinguish among directors and identify the right director for the proper hand gesture based traffic commands.

Benefit:
The OmniBird proposed in this SBIR has immediate application in a number of video surveillance applications ranging from home use to power plant surveillance. Advances from this SBIR development could broadly impact security and surveillance systems in all areas by providing "intelligence" in miniature camera sensing systems.

Keywords:
NIR sensor, Target Tracking, PTZ, Target Detection, miniature optical sensor, ucav