Plenoptic Camera Based Single Aperture Passive Rangefinder

Nanohmics proposes to design an electro-optical imaging device capable of determining the range to individual objects in a scene without the use of active emitters or multiple apertures. The novel, automated, handheld imaging system is based on a plenoptic camera design, and will be simple to use, providing the range to selected objects in the field of view. The optical system can be adapted to visible imaging devices as well as infrared focal plane arrays. The system will be designed so that it is inexpensive, easy to use by the individual Marine warfighter, rugged, and low in maintenance. The user will be able to view objects in a real-time high resolution color image of the scene, and then switch to range mode and obtain real-time range to objects in a slightly lower-resolution grayscale image – even if those objects are moving. Nanohmics will develop a custom optical system along with embedded digital signal processing electronics and a unique opto-mechanical design; and develop firmware/software algorithms for determining range to objects within the system field-of-view. Optionally the processed image will be coupled with automatic target detection and recognition algorithms.