Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N161-045

Description

To address the Navy need for a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test-bed for current and future multi-spectral imaging (MSI), simultaneous multi-spectral imaging (SMSI), and future coastal battlefield reconnaissance and analysis (COBRA) Block II sensors, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new MUltiSpectral Targets Hardware-In-The-Loop Scene Projector (MUSTHILP). The MUSTHILP system innovatively integrates multispectral illumination, high-resolution spatial light modulators (SLMs) and image-projection optics with image tilting and resolution enhancement. MUSTHILP provides a unique modular multispectral design and novel implementation of high dynamic range (>12-bit) SLMs for pixel-wise test scene image generation, and offers super high resolution (8K, needed to test 4K sensors), high fidelity scene projection (simultaneously or sequentially) of 6 sub-bands from UV to near infrared (3801000 nm). It provides real-time performance comparisons of current and future (i.e., COBRA) sensors against a consistent baseline without the need to collect extensive imagery data as in physical trial and error tests. In Phase I, POC plans to establish the technical feasibility of MUSTHILP by performing modeling and simulation, trade studies, optimizing system design and predicting its performance, as well as by material testing, proof-of-concept prototype integration and testing. In Phase II, a working MUSTHILP prototype will be developed for Navys evaluation.