Real-time Passive Three-Dimensional (3-D) Imaging and Ranging

Comprehensive solutions for extracting 3-D imagery and absolute range from visible and/or infrared (IR) images collected from small UAVs, micro-UAVs, or situational awareness sensors are proposed. These techniques can be used for 3D structure reconstruction, scene interpretation and 3D visualization of areas of interest. Challenges such as perspective changes between image platform and scene, uncertainties in the position and orientation of the imaging platform, and scene changes will be addressed. Algorithms with optimum performance will be selected for extracting 3-D imagery and absolute range from sensor images. The viability of these approaches for real-time 3-D image reconstruction and range estimation will be evaluated and demonstrated. BJ Information Technologies will partner with Lockheed Martin to evaluate performance, provide hardware implementation, and facilitate implementation in small and micro UAV systems. We propose to implement these algorithms on compact hardware which can be placed onboard a small or micro UAV for real time processing capability.