Micro-Camera for oceanographic properties and shallow water hydrography

Under this effort we propose to develop a small (<5 lb) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Micro-Camera payload using our GI-Eye technology. The GI-Eye payload includes a camera and GPS/inertial unit for registering the camera images. This design will be compatible with small UAVs such as the FINDER, Aerosonde and Silver Fox. This will be used to accurately geo-reference the ocean’s surface within the cameras view with sufficient accuracy to estimate spatial character of the directional wave spectra and infer water depths. The traditional approach is to infer water depth from the wave characteristics observed. The relationship between the video signal and the true sea surface elevation currently is determined by an unknown (at least in details) modulation transfer function (MTF). However, the substantial inaccuracies that result from the use of an estimated MTF has limited the use of video images being used to provide depth charts. We also propose to evaluate an improved algorithm under this SBIR that provides the capability to measure wave height directly using a unique stereo video concept. A new algorithm will be developed to estimate the wave height from pairs of the GI-Eye images using the precise meta-data provided by the GI-Eye. A successful NAVSYS Micro-Camera development that uses direct wave height measurements will be a significant advance in technology. Other important wave information such as height and direction will also be generated with precision. Under Phase II, the proposed Micro-Camera GI-Eye capability will be integrated and tested on a small UAV. BENEFITS: The NAVSYS Micro-Camera system will provide precision depth maps and sea condition data that will aid the NAVY in avoiding D-Day (1994) mistakes in future amphibious landings. The technology can be applied to targeting, coastal geodetic surveys and the real time tracking of moving targets. The GPS precision technology developed will also have the benefit of being used to generate high resolution digital elevation data for use in building 3D models of the land environment. This has many applications to provide data in support of Military Operations in Urban Terrain and for commercial GIS and Virtual reality applications.