Small Projector Array Display System Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-005 Topic Title: Small Projector Array Display System Proposal No.: N121-005-1196 Firm: RPA Electronic Solutions Inc. 1285 Chenango Street Binghamton, New York 13901 Contact: Richard Pray Phone: (607) 771-0393 Web Site: www.rpaelectronics.com Abstract: The goal of achieving large field of view, near-eye limiting resolution display systems for training solutions has always been elusive. High costs associated with all elements of such systems have been prohibitive for virtually all programs. Using ultra-high resolution projectors to reduce the number of image generation channels yields projector costs of over $ 20,000 per channel. Using consumer resolution projectors requires many more projectors at a cost savings, but the added cost of image generator channels comes at the expense of $ 15,000 or more per added channel. A solution is needed that can reduce both projector cost and image generation channel count. The proposed solution herein would take advantage of very low cost, pico-projectors to provide the display projection component. While there would be many such devices, they could be clustered to drive multiple projectors from a single image generation channel to minimize those costs. In order to yield a high fidelity end result from these low cost devices, alignment system and enhanced image post processing requirements are necessary. If these processing needs are assigned to COTS graphics processing cards, both high resolution and field of view can be achieved economically. Benefits: Achievement of a solution that can provide a high fidelity display system using ultra low cost display components can change the visual marketplace in training and simulation. Achieving the goal of a virtually seamless scene from many such projectors opens the possibilities for simulation systems for all types of training to take advantage of near eye-limiting resolution. In flight systems, this advantage is obvious. Pilots need to be able to see a very large region of space around their aircraft to fully understand their environment. The smallest detail in that scene can sometimes be the most important. Recognizing objects (including targets) at great distances is a key objective for such training devices since, in the real world, pilots can take advantage of such sight. Yet, other tasks which might seem to require less fidelity can also benefit greatly from greater training system visual acuity. Weapons systems trainers, including long range sniper training, can benefit greatly by providing the fidelity a soldier would encounter in the field. Ground vehicle operators also routinely perform tasks in theater that require looking long distances from their vehicle to spot potential threats. Visual acuity has been one of the great tradeoffs that is often yielded to much lower fidelity because of high dollar cost drivers such as projectors and image generation channels. Successfully utilizing ultra low cost display components, such as $ 500 pico-projectors, while including software based image processing that also reduces image generation channel count can provide the mechanism to address the visual acuity cost versus fidelity tradeoff problem. Return