Automatic Microsurface Terrain Acquisition and Modeling System

To address the Army’s need for innovative and cost-effective tools for collecting microsurface terrain profiles and inferring three-dimensional microsurface models for different terrain types, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to complete the development of a new Automatic Microsurface Terrain Acquisition and Modeling (AMSTAM) system. This proposed system is based on two innovations: (1) noninvasive differential laser triangulation sensors measuring microsurface terrain profiles along with soil strength, and (2) software providing ArcGIS-compatible two-dimensionial spectral representations of microsurface models for major terrain types. The innovation in profilometry will enable the AMSTAM system to rapidly and efficiently collect microsurface terrain elevation data along with soil stiffness, and create an ArcGIS-compatible database. The second innovation will create roughness models for major terrain types, which are needed for BTRA mission planning and vehicle durability analysis. In Phase I POC has developed a prototype AMSTAM profilometer and demonstrated its feasibility in field testing. In Phase II POC plans to complete software development for terrain modeling in the BTRA-CJMTK environment and to conduct the required field observation to characterize major terrain types.