Foveal Multitarget Tracking and Recognition System Development.
Abstract
The development of all the components of the foveal system (sensor, multiprocessor, pointing mechanism) is progressing. Both active pixel and hybrid CCD (CCD photosensors with active pixel read-out) sensor designs are being evaluated concurrently. High sensitivity has been measured even at the small fovea receptive fields. A bad production run at Orbit caused a delay in the delivery and evaluation of test chips, so a revised sensor development schedule is now being developed and shall be presented in the next status report. The Analog Devices SHARC digital signal processor has been selected as the building block for the foveal video multiprocessor, and components have been ordered for experimental evaluation of multiprocessor configurations and digital foveal camera interfaces. The Unisight pan-tilt mechanism is ready for integration with the multiprocessor and sensor. Progress is also being made on follow-on efforts. Amherst Systems is receiving commercial inquiries on the availability and quantity procurement of the foveal camera for industrial robotics applications. Also during the reporting period, Amherst Systems collected numerous video samples from an observation tower at China Lake (NAWC) where an outdoor version of the foveal system will be installed to monitor ground vehicles. Multiresolution detection and tracking algorithms are being evaluated at Amherst Systems using this collected video as the input data. Development of the micro-miniature spherical pointing actuator will resume next month under support from NASA Johnson Space Center (Automation, Robotics and Simulation Division). Arrangements have been made for Dr. Cesar Bandera to attend the meeting of ONR grantees/contractors supported by the Office of Naval Research in the domain of visual computation and optical information processing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA323049