High-Resolution Imaging of Large Field-of-View Scenes

This Phase I proposal is for evaluating the feasibility of a new camera with the following capabilities. (1) Camera simultaneously captures a video over a 360ºx180º field of view (FOV). (2) Objects appear equally sharp regardless of the direction in which they are located. (3) Resolution is large enough to capture the details of the smallest objects of interest at sufficient resolution. (4) Video rate imaging. (5) Seamless imaging, without artifacts and distortions. (6) Entire FOV is captured from a single viewpoint. (7) Brightness and direction adaptive imaging capabilities adjust sensor dynamic range and resolution as needed. (8) Low cost, power-consumption, and low form-factor, weight and frame delay. (9) Easy to operate by ordinary users. (10) Performance-cost trade-off is possible to match need. A simple prototype of the proposed camera, based on a preliminary technical approach, has been built and tested. The results encourage the proposed feasibility study of a camera of the type solicited under the current topic. There is a range of defense and commercial applications of the camera. Some of the agencies and companies with whom discussions have been held will collaborate in the production, and/or as users, of the proposed camera following the proposed study.