Holographic Lightfield 3D Display Metrology (HL3DM)

ABSTRACT:In recent years, a number of technology companies have produced auto-stereoscopic 3D volumetric and light-field displays.Qualifying their performance has been a subjective exercise as there is no common base for the determination of light-field display metrology.Rattan Softwares Phase II program will develop practical, affordable, and repeatable evaluation procedures; create a suite of light-field metrology applications to qualify all 3D light-field displays; and produce results that can be used to evaluate all light-field displays regardless of their implementation.To insure that the measurements are taken and managed in a repeatable manner, a Light-field Metrology Application (LMA) will be developed to characterize and qualify physical light-field performance.A companion Human Factors Metrology Application (HFMA) will be developed for the psychophysical measurements.Rattan Softwares proposed solution will play a key role in defining and qualifying the physical and psychophysical performance of light-field displays by defining and automating the light-field display metrology process.These methodologies and applications will allow researchers and engineers to better understand the physical and human factor properties of their displays, removing much of the subjective nature of light-field display design and development.BENEFIT:The initial commercial aspect of the Light-field Metrology Application may be limited due to the small number of available 3D light-field displays and related FoLD development projects.Therefore, the commercialization of this effort will be accomplished by providing both software and services to companies and organization researching and developing light-field displays and related technologies.The CCA, LMA, and HFMA will be available for licensing to both DoD and commercial entities with the Air Force Research Labs receiving their license under the development of the Phase II effort and according to SBIR guidelines.Rattan Software FoLD metrology services will include:CCA, LMA and HFMA operation and training.Modification of the LMA image processing pipeline to include new filters for novel FoLD architectures and artifacts.Modification of the LMA to include custom features, reports, and/or capabilities.Customization of the camera gantry to allow for novel FoLD architectures.Additional imaging system support.The DoD has been researching, funding and developing novel light-field displays and technologies for over a decade.The intended DoD use cases vary from real-time battlefield visualization and planning, security and surveillance, surgical simulation and training to telepresence communication.While FoLD development is in its infancy, it is important to develop the methods, procedures, and metrics for FoLD metrology so that FoLD performance can be accurately measured, qualified, and reported.The methodologies and applications presented in the Rattan Software Phase II proposal will allow researchers and engineers to better understand the physical and human factor properties of their displays, removing much of the subjective nature of development.