Multispectral Target and Scene Projector

To address the Navy’s need for a multispectral target and scene projector to evaluate a gimbaled sensor and the performance of tracking algorithms in a spectrally complex environment, Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to develop a new Multispectral Target and Scene Projector (MULTEP) based on an innovative multispectral modular design integrated with illumination sources, high dynamic range spatial light modulators (SLMs), and vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) arrays. Each module covers a specific spectral region, such as ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), shortwave infrared (SWIR), midwave infrared (MWIR), or longwave infrared (LWIR). The multispectral images from multiple modules are combined by dichroic beam combiners (DBCs). The test scenes from each spectral module are collimated and projected through projection optics. While the SLMs and light sources are used to simulate UV and VIS scenery, the VACNT arrays excited by visible laser images are used for SWIR to LWIR scene simulations. Using multispectral image coregistration, the images of each band are projected to the same angular position, achieving a multispectral image on the sensor. Each module can be independently (simultaneously or separately) controlled or adjusted (in spatial resolution, spectral content/signature of image and its radiometry, trajectory, etc.), making the system reconfigurable and scalable (i.e., scalable in number of spectral channels and scene resolutions in each channel). As a result, MULTEP will generate and project targets and scenes that dynamically vary the mixture of LWIR, MWIR, SWIR, VIS, and UV emissions, simulating scenery in each band, including the image’s angular size, and follow a pre-programmed trajectory while dynamically moving in relation to the primary target. Hence, MULTEP enables the evaluation of a gimbaled sensor and the performance of tracking algorithms in a spectrally complex environment with dynamic targets with signatures comprised of LWIR, MWIR, SWIR, VIS, and UV bands as well as an illuminated background emitting in the UV and/or VIS bands. In Phase I, Intellisense will demonstrate the feasibility of MULTEP through design and development of a MULTEP proof-of-concept prototype and will develop prototype plans for Phase II. In Phase II, Intellisense plans to develop and demonstrate the MULTEP prototype and work with the Navy for laboratory testing and user assessments.