SBIR-STTR Award

We propose to detect and track each member of a large flock of birds or other flying objects using Geiger-mode 3D imaging lidar.Lidar provides 3D positions of each object at specific times.The depth coordinate enables robust disambiguation of objects whose tracks would appear to cross in 2D camera-based systems.The high measurement rate and extreme sensitivity of Geiger-mode lidar enables safe, stand-off interrogation of large volumes of airspace at rapid enough update rates so that individual tracks can be maintained over extended intervals.We leverage over a decade of DoD-funded development of airborne Geiger-mode 3D mapping lidars which have been proven in multiple operational applications.The work proposed for this Phase I grant will optimize the lidar and result in a system design with associated performance estimates.The optimization will be informed by analytic models and simulations to understand occlusion statistics and characterize tracking algorithms.In addition, we will assess the computational resource requirements needed to generate 3D point clouds and propagate tracks in real time.Commercialization of this technology can lead to highly capable airspace surveillance systems optimized for counter-drone applications and wildlife protection at airports and wind farms.Counter-sUAS,Ladar,Laser Radar,tracking,airspace surveillance,flock behavior,Geiger-mode lidar,3D Imaging

We propose to build and demonstrate a system that will robustly detect and track non-cooperative small airborne objects, initially focusing on large flocks of small birds. Detection is achieved using a rapidly-scanned 3D imaging lidar with single-photon sensitivity, which enables pinpoint geolocation and easily resolves flying objects against clutter such as buildings, ground vehicles, and trees. The 3D lidar directly measures the 4D coordinates (position and time) of the flying objects, providing unambiguous inputs to a tracking algorithm. The tracker develops and propagates the tracks of thousands of flying objects in real time. This project builds from a Phase 1 SBIR study which demonstrated the promise of this approach through simulations. The proposed effort will build a lidar optimized for the given challenge (bird tracking), and a processing system designed to report tracks in real time. The demonstration system will scan a cube of edge length 100 m at a distance 400 m from the lidar at a rate of 10 Hz with angular resolution of approximately 150 microradians. A processing system remote from the bird flock will calculate the tracks. The proposed effort includes two field campaigns where large flocks are expected to be present.