SBIR-STTR Award

Micromechanically Stabilized Surveillance Platform
Award last edited on: 5/9/2014

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$485,236
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A09-143
Principal Investigator
Oleg Galkin

Company Information

Physical Optics Corporation (AKA: POC~Mercury Mission Systems, LLC)

1845 West 205th Street
Torrance, CA 90501
   (310) 320-3088
   info@pocsports.com
   www.poc.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 43
County: Los Angeles

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2010
Phase I Amount
$119,985
To address the Army need for inertially stabilized smart cameras (ISSC), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Micromechanically Stabilized Surveillance Platform (MSSP) based on a new optical stabilization scheme using MEMS scanning mirror and a novel design integrating computer-on-module technology. The innovation in the optical system design will allow image stabilization of less than 1 milliradian in the presence of vibrations in the 10 to 100 milliradian range and with the bandwidth of 1-100 Hz. The novel use of extremely compact microcomputers will enable onboard camera control, video data processing, and wireless communication. As a result, the MSSP system can be deployed on small unmanned ground and aerial vehicles and will provide the Army with long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, which directly address the Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) program requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of MSSP system by studying and analyzing suitable camera, embedded computation, and inertial stabilization technology and assembling and testing the proof-of-concept prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to develop the functional prototype and demonstrate its performance with prescribed parameters, estimate the Phase III preproduction costs, and suggest necessary revisions to the design.

Keywords:
Inertial Sensors, Image Stabilization, Smart Cameras, Long-Range Surveillance, Unmanned Vehicles

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2012
Phase II Amount
$365,251
Addressing the Army need for an inertially stabilized smart camera to provide critical image stabilization for ground or airborne platforms, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to advance the development of the new Micromechanically Stabilized Surveillance Platform (MSSP) system proven feasible in Phase I. The MSSP system is based on a new hardware-based optical stabilization scheme using scanning mirror, inertial sensors to monitor the system vibrations, and a novel design integrating computer-on-module technology. In Phase I, POC designed and developed MSSP prototype and experimentally demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed approach. In Phase II, POC will optimize the design of the MSSP system for different application scenarios, develop and fabricate multiple versions of prototypes and test their performance. A camera that is capable of night vision will be integrated into the MSSP system; in addition, the MSSP design will allow in-field reconfiguration of the system to accommodate different missions. Estimates for Phase III preproduction costs will also be made. The MSSP system can be deployed on small unmanned ground and aerial vehicles and will provide the Army with long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, which directly address the Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) program requirements.

Keywords:
Inertial Sensors, Image Stabilization, Smart Cameras, Long-Range Surveillance, Unmanned Vehicles