A MEMS-based spectral-polarimetric imaging and target tracking architecture for airborne broad-area search

摘要

We describe a compact, multi-sensor design architecture capable of providing both spectral-polarimetric imaging and adaptive matched filter target detection in real-time. The sensor suite supports airborne broad-area search missions using multiple large-format, high speed TDI scanning sensors. The technology approach leverages Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) based spectral imaging systems and scanning TDI arrays originally developed for space based remote sensing. The MEMS spectrometer system can dynamically select and switch linear combinations of single or multiple VNIR/SWIR spectral bands with 5nm sampling resolution using a programmable MEMS mirror. The MEMS spectral filter is capable of providing high quality spectral filtering across a large format sensor with > 1MHz optical switching & update speeds. A dual instrument sensor suite architecture called the "PRISM sensor" has been developed which is based on this technology and provides simultaneous spectral-polarimetric imaging and matched filter target tracking with minimal on-board computing requirements. We describe how this technology can simultaneously perform broad-area imaging and target identification in near real-time with a simple threshold operation. Preliminary results are illustrated as additional layer of target-discriminate geospatial information that may be fused with geo-referenced imagery