G. A. Tyler Associates, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: An integrated, inexpensive, compact adaptive optics system suited for use in surveillance,

Description

An integrated, inexpensive, compact adaptive optics system suited for use in surveillance, reconnaissance, and laser applications is proposed. The proposal provides a specific hardware implementation that utilizes cutting edge technologies, including a 32x32 actuator deformable mirror and a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor based on a high performance visible CMOS camera. A PCI Express card hosting a Virtex 6 FPGA will be developed under this project to implement wavefront sensing and control algorithms at frame rates in excess of 20 kiloframes per second. The adaptive optics system has a 0.5 cubic meter size envelope and weighs approximately 50 kg. A server provides overall control of the system via a user-friendly graphical user interface. The ROM hardware cost to replicate this system is $250,000. This reduction in size, weight and cost will permit incorporation of the proposed adaptive optics system into a variety of platforms such as manned and unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites. BENEFIT: The proposed adaptive optics system will provide a revolutionary advance in applications of surveillance, reconnaissance and laser communication from aerial vehicles and satellites.