N093-188 TITLE: Image Fusion for Submarine Imaging Systems

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: POR is Advanced Submarine Combat Systems Development

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate innovative image fusion algorithms for submarine imaging systems.

DESCRIPTION: Haze, fog, and other atmospheric conditions often make it difficult to detect objects in periscopes. This can increase risk to the submarine as it comes to periscope depth and operates both at periscope depth and when surface navigating. Modern submarine imaging systems contain several modalities of imaging sensors available for use to the sailor including visible color, near infrared (NIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), and mid-wave infrared (MWIR). In certain situations, each modality may be used to extract different information from the same scene. This is overly labor and time intensive. Innovative image fusion technologies that will combine multiple modalities in real time with low latency will yield increased scene information while easing the burden on the sailor on having to constantly switch between modalities. Challenges include combining video from sensors with various dynamic ranges, spatial resolutions, and frame rates. Another challenge is that the optical train for the various modalities may not be co-located on the mast, thereby leading to parallax issues. Sophisticated image registration algorithms are critical to enable the fusion of imagery from these modalities. Currently available image fusion algorithms that use overlays or image addition will not be adequate due to the above issues. This topic seeks intelligent methods of combining modalities that will provide the periscope operator with increased ability to detect, track, and identify objects of interest in difficult environmental conditions while reducing the clutter caused by waves and white caps. The preferred implementation of this set of image fusion algorithm(s) is in the form of a software program capable of being run on general purpose processors.

PHASE I: Perform the R&D needed to identify and define a promising conceptual image fusion solution for a selected submarine imaging system. Specific theory/algorithms should be identified to address all steps in the image fusion process. Document the conceptual design in a final Phase I report.

PHASE II: Complete the required R&D to develop and validate image fusion algorithm(s) that will operate in real time on stand-alone hardware with minimal latency, ready for a land based evaluation of the imaging system selected for Phase I. Document the design and test results in a final report.

PHASE III: If successfully demonstrated in Phase II, integrate the solution on a submarine for at-sea testing. Fleet implementation may be accomplished through Technology Insertion (TI) upgrade to existing submarine.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Harbor and border surveillance for homeland security, law enforcement surveillance, and industrial security are possible commercial applications of such a solution.

REFERENCES:
1. Smith, Moira I. and Heather, Jamie P., "A review of image fusion technology in 2005", Thermosense XXVII. Edited by Peacock, G. Raymond; Burleigh, Douglas D.; Miles, Jonathan J. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 5782, pp. 29-45 (2005).

2. D.A. Fay, A.M. Waxman, M. Aguilar, D.B. Ireland, J.P. Racamato, W.D. Ross, W.W. Streilein, M.I. Braun, "Fusion of multisensor imagery for night vision: Color visualization, target learning and search", 3rd International Conference on Information Fusion, Paris, 2000.

KEYWORDS: Image fusion; Image Registration; Shortwave-Infrared; Mid-wave-infrared; Sensors; Algorithms.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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