Holographic Brownout Condition Adaptive Symbology System for Day/Night HMDs
Navy SBIR FY2008.2


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.2
Topic No.: N08-157
Topic Title: Holographic Brownout Condition Adaptive Symbology System for Day/Night HMDs
Proposal No.: N082-157-0099
Firm: Physical Optics Corporation
Applied Technologies Division
20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg.100
Torrance, California 90501
Contact: Jason Holmstedt
Phone: (310) 320-3088
Web Site: www.poc.com
Abstract: To address the Navy need for an integrated day/night helmet-mounted display (HMD) system that delivers symbology during brownout conditions, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Holographic Brownout Condition Adaptive Symbology (HOBCAS) system for day/night HMDs. This proposed system is based on a unique combination of narrow-band 3-color (RGB) high see-through holographic optics, OLED microdisplays, and symbology imagery display. The innovations in HOBCAS will enable the system to adapt to ambient conditions and allow for a quick clip-on to HMD and night vision goggles (NVGs) with independently controllable symbology imagery and functionality using existing helmet mounts. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of HOBCAS system by designing a breadboard prototype that illustrates see-through, holographic beam combination, and symbol rendering capabilities. HOBCAS system meets the needs of the Navy by providing high-resolution (>800x600) symbology with high luminance (>400 cd/m^2) and color capability. POC will also develop a mechanical means for a clip-on solution to switching from day to night HMDs. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a mature prototype that will allow a pilot to test the system's capabilities and evaluate the symbology.
Benefits: Commercial applications of the HOBCAS system are numerous, ranging from commercial aviation to home entertainment to the automotive industry. Since the integrated HMD is compact and lightweight, it will be extremely attractive to firefighters in visually degraded environments where the danger of entering smoke-filled buildings can be reduced by presenting symbology that will aid the firefighters in completing their tasks.

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