SURFACE OPTICS CORP. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: CBD171-002

Description

A program to develop a compact, MLA-based, LWIR hyperspectral imager is proposed. The proposed Hyperspectral Chemical Imaging Sensor(HyCIS) builds upon Surface Optics real-time hyperspectral imaging activities, including our 3D full-motion video spectral imaging (FMV-SI)technology and our MIDIS hyperspectral image processor. Simultaneously sampling 16 or more spectral bands from 8 um to 12 um (MWIR willalso be investigated) over a full two-dimensional field, the system is ideal for identifying and tracking chemicals of interest to modern warfare.Through a series of trade studies and preliminary design, the proposed program will develop and analyze an optimized design for a compactinfrared full-motion video spectral imager appropriate for battery-operated hand-held and small UAS applications; the system will include acompact, rugged, real-time spectral imager plus the real-time hyperspectral (HS) data processor. The proposed effort represents an extensionof Surface Optics 25 years experience in hyperspectral imager design, and miniaturization of SOCs patented real-time hyperspectral imageprocessor for real-time hyperspectral discrimination. By building on Surface Optics Corporations experience in hyperspectral imaging systemdevelopment, sensor development, and algorithm development, the proposed program will produce a new full-motion video LWIRhyperspectral chemical imaging sensor of unsurpassed capability.