SBIR-STTR Award

The primary objective of this SBIR project is to develop a novel Hemispherical and Dynamic Camera(HDC), with unprecedented capability of optically unwrapping, thus can obtain directly the high resolution undistorted (unwrapped) 360? hemispherical video or still images without requiring any external computing resources for performing digital unwrapping. This novel technology would lead to ultra-compact, low-power, light weight, and high resolution hemispherical camera for EVAs. The unique Neo360 optics offers advantages over any existing technologies. The HDC camera can: (1) Produce unwrapped hemispherical images optically without using any external computational hardware and software, greatly reducing size, weight and power (SWaP) of the HDC. (2) Capture real-time video of seamless hemispherical surrounding scene using no moving components; (3) Unwrap the hemispherical image optically and the outputs images/video is directly viewable for human interpretation; (4) Preserve image quality via optical unwrapping - no digital re-sampling artifacts that deteriorate image; (5) Acquire hemispherical scene with full pixel resolution of imaging sensor (conventional 360? optics acquires circular images, making 42% active pixels of sensor useless); (6) Eliminate time delay caused by digital processing - Hemispherical video can be transmitted directly; (7) Improve the image transmission efficiency by 70% for EVA video relay.

This SBIR project is to develop a novel Hemispherical and Dynamic Camera(HDC) with ultra-wide field of view and low geometric distortion. The novel technology we proposed would lead to ultra-compact, low-power, light weight, and high resolution hemispherical camera for EVAs. We successfully completed the Phase 1 project with a novel optical design, functional prototypes, extensive experimental results and commercialization potential. All Phase 1 objectives are met and exceeded. Phase 2 program will afford us to design and build a fully functional miniature EVA camera systems, and perform extensive tests for NASA's EMU and EVA applications. Capitalizing upon the breakthrough we have made thus far, we propose the following Phase 2 technical objectives: Objective 1: Design and build a fully functional prototype of the EMU camera system; Objective 2: Carry out extensive validation experiments and improve the EMU camera prototype; Objective 3: Design and build a prototype of EVA Smart PTZ camera; Objective 4: Carry out extensive validation experiments and improve EVA Smart PTZ prototype; Objective 5: Work closely with COTR to facilitate NASA applications and broad adoption of the Neo360 optics and Smart PTZ technologies developed under this SBIR; Objective 6: Pursue commercialization of the developed Neo360 and Smart PTZ technology.