ENCRYPTOR INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-037

Description

During the Phase I effort, we will develop, demonstrate and deliver a working device that meets the requirements of this solicitation. The primary specifications of the deliverable item include the use of a monochrome multi-MegaPixel CMOS Silicon camera sensor with appropriate read-out electronics formatted onto a USB-C interface. The prototype will connect directly to a notebook computer for viewing the captured video stream in real-time at full frame rate and resolution, while also allowing for control of the primary sensor operating parameters (frame rate, exposure, gain, binning, region-of-interest). Additionally, the deliverable demonstration unit will include a versatile ambient light sensor in the visible and two IR spectral regions with linear sensitivity from less than 1 lux to over 220,000 lux. Prior to the implementation of the actual engineering design, we will perform a comprehensive survey of all commercially available CMOS Silicon sensors that could be candidates for use in this project. On the basis of this survey, we will select at least one sensor for use in the prototype demonstration implementation. Some of the critical selection criteria include pixel count, pixel size, sensitivity and noise, quantum efficiency, overall sensor dimensions, compatibility with Image Sensor Processors (if needed for lens correction and other common CMOS sensor artifacts), frame rate range, availability and range of programming and control for sensor operating parameters, power consumption, semiconductor packaging, temperature range, and other similar factors. The deliverable prototype sensor system will fit in a cube envelope of less than 25mm per size, and will weight less than 25gm (excluding optics). Power consumption, as low light sensitivity, will be scaled by the frame rate region-of-interest size. During the Phase I Option period of performance, we will improve the overall SWaP of this prototype for a more optimal fit to a more comprehensive dismounted soldier application, including appropriate interfaces for the digital video streaming, optics, mechanical enclosure, and power source. We will also implement representative automatic camera sensor control algorithms based on multi-spectral ambient light levels and other mission-critical situational inputs.