KEYWORDS: LIDAR, Imaging systems, Sensors, 3D image processing, 3D acquisition, Cameras, Control systems, Stereoscopic cameras, Process control, Image processing
The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), working with Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and industry leaders Advanced Scientific Concepts (ASC) and Hood Technology Corporation, has developed a small SWAP (size, weight, and power) 3D imaging flash ladar (LAser Detection And Ranging) sensor system concept design for small tactical unmanned air systems (STUAS). The design utilizes an ASC 3D flash ladar camera and laser in a Hood Technology gyro-stabilized gimbal system. The design is an autonomous, intelligent, geo-aware sensor system that supplies real-time 3D terrain and target images. Flash ladar and visible camera data are processed at the sensor using a custom digitizer/frame grabber with compression. Mounted in the aft housing are power, controls, processing computers, and GPS/INS. The onboard processor controls pointing and handles image data, detection algorithms and queuing. The small SWAP 3D imaging flash ladar sensor system generates georeferenced terrain and target images with a low probability of false return and <10 cm range accuracy through foliage in real-time. The 3D imaging flash ladar is designed for a STUAS with a complete system SWAP estimate of <9 kg, <0.2 m3 and <350 W power. The system is modeled using LadarSIM, a MATLAB® and Simulink®- based ladar system simulator designed and developed by the Center for Advanced Imaging Ladar (CAIL) at Utah State University. We will present the concept design and modeled performance predictions.
The availability of imagery simultaneously collected from sensors of disparate modalities enhances an image analyst's
situational awareness and expands the overall detection capability to a larger array of target classes. Dynamic
cooperation between sensors is increasingly important for the collection of coincident data from multiple sensors either
on the same or on different platforms suitable for UAV deployment. Of particular interest is autonomous collaboration
between wide area survey detection, high-resolution inspection, and RF sensors that span large segments of the
electromagnetic spectrum. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in conjunction with the Space Dynamics Laboratory
(SDL) is building sensors with such networked communications capability and is conducting field tests to demonstrate
the feasibility of collaborative sensor data collection and exploitation. Example survey / detection sensors include:
NuSAR (NRL Unmanned SAR), a UAV compatible synthetic aperture radar system; microHSI, an NRL developed
lightweight hyper-spectral imager; RASAR (Real-time Autonomous SAR), a lightweight podded synthetic aperture
radar; and N-WAPSS-16 (Nighttime Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance Sensor-16Mpix), a MWIR large array gimbaled
system. From these sensors, detected target cues are automatically sent to the NRL/SDL developed EyePod, a high-resolution,
narrow FOV EO/IR sensor, for target inspection. In addition to this cooperative data collection, EyePod's
real-time, autonomous target tracking capabilities will be demonstrated. Preliminary results and target analysis will be
presented.
EyePod is a compact survey and inspection day/night imaging sensor suite for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
EyePod generates georeferenced image products in real-time from visible near infrared (VNIR) and long wave infrared
(LWIR) imaging sensors and was developed under the ONR funded FEATHAR (Fusion, Exploitation, Algorithms, and
Targeting for High-Altitude Reconnaissance) program. FEATHAR is being directed and executed by the Naval Research
Laboratory (NRL) in conjunction with the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) and FEATHAR's goal is to develop and
test new tactical sensor systems specifically designed for small manned and unmanned platforms (payload weight < 50
lbs). The EyePod suite consists of two VNIR/LWIR (day/night) gimbaled sensors that, combined, provide broad area
survey and focused inspection capabilities. Each EyePod sensor pairs an HD visible EO sensor with a LWIR bolometric
imager providing precision geo-referenced and fully digital EO/IR NITFS output imagery. The LWIR sensor is mounted
to a patent-pending jitter-reduction stage to correct for the high-frequency motion typically found on small aircraft and
unmanned systems. Details will be presented on both the wide-area and inspection EyePod sensor systems, their modes
of operation, and results from recent flight demonstrations.
FEATHAR (Fusion, Exploitation, Algorithms, and Targeting for High-Altitude Reconnaissance) is an ONR funded
effort to develop and test new tactical sensor systems specifically designed for small manned and unmanned platforms
(payload weight < 50 lbs). This program is being directed and executed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in
conjunction with the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). FEATHAR has developed and integrated EyePod, a combined
long-wave infrared (LWIR) and visible to near infrared (VNIR) optical survey & inspection system, with NuSAR, a
combined dual band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. These sensors are being tested in conjunction with other
ground and airborne sensor systems to demonstrate intelligent real-time cross-sensor cueing and in-air data fusion.
Results from test flights of the EyePod and NuSAR sensors will be presented.
NuSAR (Naval Research Laboratory Unmanned Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a sensor developed under the ONRfunded
FEATHAR (Fusion, Exploitation, Algorithms, and Targeting for High-Altitude Reconnaissance) program.
FEATHAR is being directed and executed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in conjunction with the Space
Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). FEATHAR's goal is to develop and test new tactical sensor systems specifically designed
for small manned and unmanned platforms (payload weight < 50 lbs). NuSAR is a novel dual-band (L- and X-band)
SAR capable of a variety of tactically relevant operating modes and detection capabilities. Flight test results will be
described for narrow and wide bandwidth and narrow and wide azimuth aperture operating modes.
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) are executing a joint effort,
DUSTER (Deployable Unmanned System for Targeting, Exploitation, and Reconnaissance), to develop and
test a new tactical sensor system specifically designed for Tier II UAVs. The system is composed of two
coupled near-real-time sensors: EyePod (VNIR/LWIR ball gimbal) and NuSAR (L-band synthetic aperture
radar). EyePod consists of a jitter-stabilized LWIR sensor coupled with a dual focal-length optical system
and a bore-sighted high-resolution VNIR sensor. The dual focal-length design coupled with precision
pointing an step-stare capabilities enable EyePod to conduct wide-area survey and high resolution inspection
missions from a single flight pass. NuSAR is being developed with partners Brigham Young University
(BYU) and Artemis, Inc and consists of a wideband L-band SAR capable of large area survey and embedded
real-time image formation. Both sensors employ standard Ethernet interfaces and provide geo-registered
NITFS output imagery. In the fall of 2007, field tests were conducted with both sensors, results of which will
be presented.
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