Compressive 3D Infrared Imaging

DetectIR Technologies, along with Michigan State University, proposes to develop a 3D IR imaging system by integrating carbon nanotube (CNT) based IR detector technology with a compressive sensing method. This proposed effort will produce a portable, non-cryogenic-cooled 3D IR camera that will provide quality 3D images at video frame rates. The proposed camera design will solve several issues currently affecting 3D IR imaging systems , including their size, computational requirements, cryogenic cooling and low frame rate . These problems have prevented most existing 3D IR imaging systems from being effectively used in battlefield situations. Our preliminary results have shown that compressive sensing method can dramatically decrease the complexity of 3D imaging. Furthermore, CNT-based IR detectors are capable of detecting IR light at much faster speeds than currently possible without cryogenic cooling systems. The integration of these two technologies will lay a foundation for developing a portable, low cost, high speed and high quality 3D IR camera. This proposed camera could play important roles in Armys C4ISR infrastructure as well as many other military and civilian applications.