On-Chip Real-Time Wavefront Sensor Array Development

New developments in focal-plane electronics permit massively parallel signal processing on or near the image detection surface itself. Tanner Research proposes to develop a 1-D focal-plane array (FPA) with per-pixel laser radar processors, in addition to conventional light-intensity-based imaging. This focal plane will eliminate the need for mechanical scanning of the laser beam and will generate a three-dimensional view of the target without the need for extra sensor-fusion processing and multi-sensor image registration. This approach promises high frame rate laser rangefinding, because the range calculation occurs at each pixel simultaneously. It also will lead to compact, mechanically simple and hence robust systems that can be deployed in a variety of tactical environments, including battlefield rifle sights and navigation aids for air-based weapon platforms and delivery systems. The potential low cost of this system will open new applications to autonomous guided vehicles and "smart weapon" systems.In the Phase I effort, Tanner Research will prove the validity of the approach and establish a performance baseline for the design work. We will go beyond a feasibility study by designing and fabricating a small prototype laser ranging FPA custom integrated circuit.