See and Avoid Fly Eye Sensor System for Autonomous Air Vehicles Navy SBIR FY2004.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2004.2 Topic No.: N04-178 Topic Title: See and Avoid Fly Eye Sensor System for Autonomous Air Vehicles Proposal No.: N042-178-0 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Photonic Systems Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg 100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Tin Aye Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel See and Avoid Fly Eye (SAFE) 3D-image-based proximity and flow sensor system that will enable an autonomous air vehicle (AAV) to automatically avoid colliding with obstacles, enabling it to carry out missions autonomously in urban and confined environments. The SAFE sensor system combines a miniature staring multi-aperture compound eye (fly eye) with a low-cost CMOS smart vision sensor chip that consists of a compact miniature photodetector array and a neural network processor for high angular resolution and large field-of-view. Digital signal processing and a simple neural network support real-time flight path optimization for collision avoidance. This unique combination results in a high-speed and high-performance system that ideally matches the stringent cost, size, weight, and power requirements of small-scale autonomous air vehicles. The Phase I work will include the development and implementation of the SAFE system approach, and a demonstration of its collision avoidance performance to prove the feasibility of the concept. Phase II efforts will include system optimization, culminating in a full prototype built, field tested, and analyzed to confirm the suitability of SAFE for military and commercial applications. Benefits: Because of its light weight and compact size, the SAFE system can be installed in small UAVs for police surveillance and traffic control. Its low cost will also suit it to collision avoidance in automobiles, boats, and aircraft. Return