Planar Aperture-Tiled 3D Occlusion-Capable Optical See-Through HMD

To address the Army need for a three-dimensional (3D) optical see-through head-mounted display (HMD) with improved opaqueness and contrast resolution for realistic augmented-reality training applications, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new innovative Planar Aperture-Tiled Three-Dimensional Occlusion-Capable Optical See-Through Head-Mounted Display (PLATO-HMD), based on holographic guided-wave optics and multi-camera 3D imaging sensor. The innovation in PLATO-HMD includes thin low-profile planar holographic optics, liquid crystal mask array, and multi-camera real-time 3D imaging sensor. The extremely compact and lightweight PLATO-HMD can be used for mixed/augmented-reality applications in a live environment with increased HMD capabilities in contrast resolution, field-of-view and opaqueness for both indoor and outdoor training environments. In Phase I, POC will develop a baseline design of PLATO-HMD and demonstrate its feasibility by analyses and experiments using a laboratory breadboard setup. The Phase I technical feasibility study will include a technology roadmap, a refined system design concept, and identification and analyses of technology/component trade-offs, limitations, and cost. In Phase II, POC plans to develop an initial prototype which will be tested in a lab environment, implement upgrades and modifications leading to an optimized prototype suitable for a relevant and realistic training environment.