Ascension Technology proposes to develop a fast, new six degrees-of-freedom tracker, phasorBIRDTM, immune to cockpit and helmet scatterers of magnetic/electrical field energy. It will integrate seamlessly with training simulators, aircraft, tanks, and combat air operations centers (CAOCs). Design features will enable it to exceed static accuracy and repeatability of the best magnetic trackers while eliminating the need for elaborate alignment and mapping hardware that significantly impacts logistical costs. Development will be based on a research model now returning accuracy of 0.2 mm/0.2° RMS. In this project, we will demonstrate scalability and capability in simulators with tiled rear-screen projections as well as feasibility in helmet-mounted NVG systems. We will first develop and test small, operational camera prototypes and second demonstrate that emitter modules can be made compatible with rear-projection screens. Once fully developed, the tracker will overcome performance and applicability limits caused by bulky, obstructive emitters and lens-based cameras that interfere with human motion, cockpit layout, and ingress/egress. The military will benefit in that the technology can be evolved to high volume commercial (real-time visualization systems, augmented reality systems etc) as well as helmet-display applications -- thus amortizing manufacturing costs over large volumes for increased affordability and lowering life-cycle costs.
Benefits: PhasorBIRD provides a tracker technology that has high potential for head and body tracking in the private sector and DOD. 1. Is capable of high update rates and high dynamic accuracy. 2. Simplifies helmet and cockpit integration design. 3. Is compatible with military training simulators and cockpit environments such as those found in the WST, F/A-22 and JSF. 4. Requires simple and relatively low power electrical interfaces. 5. Can be evolved to high volume manufacturing techniques, and has relatively low maintenance and life-cycle-costs. Private sector Primary commercial markets for next-generation tracker: · Real-time visualization systems employing head/hand tracking to interact with immersive and wide-screen displays (e.g., VR design, prototyping and visualization of large graphical data sets). Such data is displayed interactively on devices ranging from individual headsets to multi-wall projections systems. · Simulation and training system developed by contractors for military and commercial land and air vehicles. Although current magnetic, optical and hybrid trackers are often used in these systems, emerging requirements -- such as AFRLs weapon system trainer with wraparound display -- demand unobtrusive tracking, not hindered by metallic content, close quarters, and/or environmental noise. · Augmented reality (AR) systems. In this emerging market, there is a hard requirement for extremely fast, low latency tracking to overlay virtual instructions on real-world objects. To do this, a user''s head and/or hands must be tracked to provide a real-time registration of the virtual data on the real-world object. AR has not advanced beyond research projects due, in part, to the lack of "fast, highly accurate head and object tracking." Applications stymied by the lack of adequate tracking include: simulation, manufacturing, repair and maintenance, medicine, and military target acquisition and situational awareness systems. One such Amy FCS project is HTSS, currently underway at the Night-Vision Lab at Ft. Belvoir. For a survey of the state of the art in AR and unmet needs, see Azuma R., Baillot Y, Feiner S, "Recent Advances in Augmented Reality," IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, Nov/Dec 2001, pp 34-47. The authors conclude that before the dream of AR can be realized, trackers need to be "more accurate, cheaper, and less power consuming." The phasorBIRD concept is the only tracker capable of meeting the lofty goals required to make AR a viable new technology. Hard requirements as reported elsewhere in the literature by Azuma et al specify angular accuracy at the "fraction of a degree level and measurement latency of less than 2 milliseconds." DOD In addition to AFRL/HEA, the AFRL/HEC HMST Program, ACC and ASC could be the primary Air Force end users of the technology. The AFRL/HEC HMST proposed Multi-spectral HMD Program is seeking advanced tracker technology for possible integration with new helmet-display concepts. The USAF F-15E, while not slated to get a helmet-cueing system until FY08, will likely opt for the newer and more affordable technology associated with ongoing technology efforts that are relatively mature by FY06. The USAF F/A-22 (DRA-22) office at ACC is actively seeking sources for improved helmet tracker and display technology. The JSF program will likely take serious note of this program if performance test results are positive. Any production programs arising from these efforts are likely to make new tracker technology the material solution of choice because it will have demonstrated its potential with worst-case helmet-mounted cueing systems in the OT&E operational, simulator and maintenance environments.
Keywords: head tracking, optical head tracking, head-slaved imagery, helmet tracker, next-generation optical helmet trac, solid state, lensless optical track, phasorBIRD, six degrees-of-freedom
