Portable Hyperspectral Camcorder for Ground-Truth Data Collection

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes development of a portable hand-held hyperspectral camcorder to be used for collecting ground truth spectral and polarization signatures as well as geometrical information of potential targets and backgrounds. Theproposed device offers flexibility in the selection of spectral resolution and in the number of used spectral intervals and their positions. It will be capable of recording high quality spectral images for different states of light polarization.Therefore, a full Stokes vector for each pixel in spectral images will be obtained. Color coordinates for each pixel in the image will also be measured with high accuracy.The proposed hyperspectral camcorder will reduce the time required for collection of bidirectional spectral reflection (or emission) functions for the objects of interest, therefore stimulating comparison of the real data with numerous computer models. Itcan also be used on airborne platforms for tactical applications, such as real-time detection and identification of low-visibility targets hidden in cluttered background or light-scattering media. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the proof of concept bymodifying a commercially available camcorder. In Phase II, POC will optimize the Phase I prototype for hand-held operation. Preliminary Phase III commercialization activities will begin in Phase I.The development of the proposed device will stimulate the use of hyperspectral imaging for detection and identification of hidden targets. It will provide the necessary experimental data for development of computer algorithms for simulation of the sensor'sperformance. It will reduce the time required for collection of spectral signatures and will also provide a variety of additional information that will stimulate development of target detection algorithms and innovative sensors. The resulting technologywill have a broad range of commercial applications, such as environmental monitoring and medical imaging.