Absolute Distance Hemispherical Rangefinder

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new absolute distance hemispherical rangefinder (ADHER) for 3D rendering of large rooms and cavities for combat operations of Objective Force Warriors. The proposed ADHER is a nonscanning, compact device for stealthy robotic platforms. The ADHER design is based on an innovative optical fish-eye lens with telecentric arrangement, a smart pixel array, and unique software implementing the Chinese Remainder Theorem for distance retrieval and the DaVinci visualization infrastructure. The ADHER optical system to be developed in Phase I is extremely compact -- 30 mm in length and 10 mm in diameter. ADHER will enable instant 3D hemispheric rendering of objects of interest with several millimeters distance resolution and one degree scene resolution. It will be mass producible, reliable, low in cost, and specifically suited to future urban combat and antiterrorist operations. In Phase I, POC will develop a complete computer simulation for system modeling and a preliminary ADHER model prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach. In Phase II an engineering prototype ADHER will be developed and integrated with a stealthy robotic platform and advanced 3D rendering software.