A Fast Portable Hyperspectral Camera for the Detection of Camouflaged Objects

A program to develop an advanced, portable 3-D hyperspectral imaging sensor capable of detecting camouflaged objects is proposed. The proposed portable Hyperspectral Advanced Detection Sensor (HADS) 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 48 spectral bands from 0.28 ƒÝm to 1.06 ƒÝm over a full 2-D field of 588 x 432 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 HADS 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¡¦ 15 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 portable near-UV to near-IR hyperspectral imager of unsurpassed capability, ideal for detecting camouflaged objects