N121-069 TITLE: Three Dimensional Imaging for Passive Ranging

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS), ACAT III

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an image processing system using the technologies of three dimensional imaging to support passive ranging of targets.

DESCRIPTION: Ranging of targets is an essential capability requirement of submarine imaging and electronic warfare systems. Passive ranging is normally conducted manually by an operator using a stadimeter overlaid on the image or periscope view. Current implementation of passive ranging adds to operator workload and is subject to error as the operator must estimate between ticks of the stadimeter. Active ranging is conducted via laser or radar emission, and active transmission is undesirable in many circumstances. An increase in the fidelity of passive ranging and automation of the process of passive ranging will reduce the requirement for active transmission.

Three-dimensional imaging technology, using image data collected from multiple offset cameras, may be able to passively provide the automated ranging capabilities to the war fighter that were previously only available through active systems that risked the possibility of counter-detection in their use. Current state of the art three dimensional imaging is used in the movie industry and in an increasing number of commercial underwater exploration applications. This technology is currently used by the Navy to produce visually appealing video, but should be directly applicable to passive ranging.

The Navy is seeking innovative approaches and algorithms for passive ranging using multiple cameras to address and increase platform stealth. Innovation should first have the ability to determine the appropriate camera geometry to allow for passive ranging. Innovation should also have the ability to identify algorithms that can be used to extract range data from the image stream. The company will also determine if the required components will operate within the existing imaging mast architecture or if a new architecture will be required.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of using an automated passive ranging algorithm and develop the concept, including the required camera geometry and processing algorithms. Propose the optimal geometry of multiple cameras to provide the optimal ranging solution. Propose candidate algorithms for evaluation. Provide predictions as to the accuracy of the algorithms.

PHASE II: Develop a proof-of-concept processing suite for evaluation by the Navy. This suite would consist of cameras and appropriate processing algorithms to demonstrate passive ranging. Demonstrate the ability to passively range targets using the algorithms. Develop an approach to transition the algorithms in phase III.

PHASE III: Upon the success of Phase II, the company will support the Navy in transitioning the algorithms as part of the TI/APB process. The architecture and algorithms would be refined, would be documented, and incorporated into the Navy�s TI/APB process. The developer will support algorithm refinement and testing.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: In a situation where multiple cameras are utilized, this application would allow for locating targets of interest. This could be used in surveillance applications to determine where an object is located relative to the surveillance equipment. Combined with other data (such as Global Positioning System) the target could be located at specific coordinates.

REFERENCES:
1. Comparison of passive ranging integral imaging and active imaging digital holography for three-dimensional object recognition, Yann Frauel, Enrique Tajahuerce, Osamu Matoba, Albertina Castro, Bahram Javidi, Applied Optics, Vol 43 No 2, 10 January 2004.

2. 3D Ranging and Virtual View Generation using Omni-view Cameras, Kim C. Nga, Mohan M. Trivedia, and Hiroshi Ishigurob, Computer Vision and Robotics Research Laboratory, University of California-San Diego, Department of Social Informatics, Kyoto University, Japan

KEYWORDS: ranging; passive; location; 3Dimensional; imaging; holography

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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