This phase I seeks to develop a passive EO-IR imaging system that employs jointly optimized multi-modal image acquisition and processing to increase operational range by 10X over baseline range that corresponds to traditional single-mode image acquisition in the presence of obscurant. We propose a dual band polarization imaging system working in the visible/NIR and SWIR spectral band to increase the detection range when fog and haze is present. Based on a commercially available polarization camera for the visible and NIR band and on an innovative new polarization camera operating in the SWIR band, this imaging system will be coupled to dedicated image processing software. Polarization imaging allows to reduce the amount of light scattered by atmospheric particles as it is partially polarized. Joined with an imaging system working in the SWIR region where the effect of the fog is heavily reduced and a dedicated image processing to remove the scattering, estimation of the detection range will be done to evaluate the substantial overall operational improvement. A prototype of the system will be built and tested in a laboratory environment where condition will be controlled.
Benefit: The anticipated results of the research will benefit defense and surveillance applications. We will also reach commercial applications as we already demonstrated with the SALSA camera, developed under a SBIR phase I/Phase II DOD from the army. We already proven the commercial applications of visible and NIR polarization camera for biology, under-water imagery, magnetic signature detection, etc. Adding a SWIR polarization camera to complete our line of polarization imaging product will allow us to reach new applications and new markets.
Keywords: SWIR spectral band, SWIR spectral band, visible, Polarization Imaging, Imaging through fog, haze/fog removal algorithm, Scattering, NIR
