Automated Vehicle Identification at a Distance

A program to develop an advanced 3-D hyperspectral imaging sensor capable of day or night operation in the VNIR band is proposed. The proposed Automated Vehicle Identification at a Distance (AVID) sensor system builds upon Surface Optics’ real-time hyperspectral imaging activities, including the Multi-band Identification and Discrimination Imaging Spectroradiometer (MIDIS) system and the 3-D Full-Cube Imager (FC-Imager). Simultaneously sampling between 12 and 48 spectral bands from 0.4 to 1.06 microns over a full 2-D field of up to 1K x 1K pixels, the system is ideal for accurately measuring and exploiting spectral reflectance differences of tactical targets. Based upon requirements for simultaneous acquisition of all hyperspectral bands at each pixel in a full 2-D field, SOC will conduct a preliminary design of the AVID sensor, which will include a compact, rugged, inexpensive 3-D imager plus the real-time hyperspectral (HS) data processor. The proposed effort represents an extension of Surface Optics’ 13 years experience in hyperspectral imager design, and miniaturization (through ASIC development) of SOC’s patented real-time hyperspectral image processor for real-time hyperspectral discrimination. By building on Surface Optics Corporation’s experience in hyperspectral imaging system development, sensor development, and algorithm development, the proposed program will produce a new day/night VNIR hyperspectral imager of unsurpassed capability that will provide a non-contact system for remote vehicle tagging and tracking.