Hemispheric Imaging System

To address the Army's need for the compact high resolution hemispherical imaging system, Distant Focus Corporation (DFC) proposes to develop Hemispherical Imaging Monocentric Optics System (HIMOS). The HIMOS architecture is based on innovative and recently developed “virtual” stop monocentric lens concept. This innovative architecture makes DFC HIMOS system extremely compact by having excellent image quality over the full hemispherical field of view. The system can collect hemispherical images with potentially gigapixel resolution with a standard commercial frame rate of 30 fps or better. In phase II DFC will develop and test a full-scale engineering prototype which demonstrates both a virtual aperture and an integrated variable aperture in the optic. The demonstrator will also be robust to thermal variations and field test physical abuse. In addition, DFC will investigate a multi-sensor enhancement for the system which will enable even higher resolution imaging for phase III commercialization.